OFTEM 
UNIVERSITY 


THE 

AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

OF 

ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


THE 


AMERICAN   HANDBOOK 


ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 


BY 

THOMAS   MEEHAN, 

'  GARDENER. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO,  AND  CO. 

1853. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1853,  by 

LIPPINCOTT,  GRAMBO,  AND  CO., 

in  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 
in  and  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


GIFT 


Mf 


TO 


JOHN  BAKTHAM, 


PATRIARCH 


AMERICAN  ARBORICULTURE. 


1* 

R/J772690 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


A  SMALL  work  on  the  hardy  ornamental 
trees  in  cultivation,  has  long  been  a  desidera- 
tum. 

The  literature  of  other  countries  is  well 
represented  in  this  respect ;  the  author  offers 
the  present  volume  as  a  small  advance  to- 
wards placing  America  in  the  same  position. 

His  original  design  was  to  bring  out  a  small 
volume  for  the  numerous  admirers  of  the  in- 
defatigable Botanist,  BARTRAM,  describing 
the  trees  now  growing  in  his  far-famed  old 
botanic  garden.  After  the  notes  were  pre- 
pared for  this  object,  he  was  induced  by  the 
kind  encouragement  of  his  friends,  and  in  the 
face  of  a  great  public  want,  to  throw  them 
into  their  present  form.  In  order  to  make 


Vlll  ADVERTISEMENT. 

the  work  of  standard  accuracy,  nothing  has 
been  admitted  into  the  body  of  the  work  that 
has  not  been  the  result  of  the  personal  ex- 
perience of  the  author.  'No  tree  is  described 
as  being  in  cultivation  which  the  author  has 
not  himself  seen ;  and  in  most  cases,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  the  tree,  with  its  height  and 
dimensions,  from  which  the  description  is 
taken.  The  Appendix  at  the  end  of  the  work 
contains  principally  those  trees  which,  though 
in  cultivation,  are  too  small  to  form  a  correct 
estimate  of  their  value  in  ornamental  garden- 
ing. 

The  work  is  offered  solely  as  an  aid  in 
practical  affairs,  without  any  high  pretension 
to  its  being  a  contribution  to  scientific  litera- 
ture. Hence  the  arrangement  is  alphabetical 
and  the  descriptions  are  brief.  The  botani- 
cal characters  are  for  the  most  part  compiled 
from  various  authors.  In  the  Pinacece, 
London  has  been  principally  consulted.  The 
references  to  the  natural  orders  are  to  those 


ADVERTISEMENT.  ix 

as  developed  by  Lindley  in  the  "  Vegetable 
Kingdom,"  on  the  system  of  Endlicher,  which 
is  now  generally  followed  by  botanists.  The 
rest  of  the  work  is  entirely  original.  If  any 
resemblance  is  observed  between  the  author's 
remarks  and  the  writings  of  others,  it  must 
be  attributed  to  his  earlier  studies,  which 
have  become  so  blended  with  his  observation 
and  experience,  as  to  make  what  perhaps 
properly  belonged  to  others  originally,  now 
seem  to  him  to  be  his  own. 

The  nomenclature  is  not  probably  what  a 
scientific  writer  would  adopt,  no  particular 
author  being  exclusively  followed.  In  a 
work  intended  for  extensive  popular  use,  it 
was  thought  better  to  adhere  to  popular 
names ;  and,  as  the  names  of  the  authors  of 
both  the  generic  and  specific  terms  are  given 
in  full  with  each  name,  no  confusion  can 
arise  on  that  score. 

.Having  said  thus  much  of  his  work,  the 
author  would  gladly  lay  down  his  pen.  But 


X  ADVERTISEMENT. 

lie  cannot  rule  out  the  claims  of  the  public 
to  know  something  of  the  man  who  presumes 
to  offer  rules  for  its  guidance.  He  would 
briefly  state  that,  reared  from  infancy  amongst 
extensive  collections  of  trees,  they  became  by 
circumstances  as  well  as  by  taste  the  study 
and  the  hobby  of  his  riper  years.  These 
advantages,  together  with  a  two  years'  study 
of  trees  in  the  celebrated  gardens  at  Kew, 
with  the  subsequent  practice  of  his  know- 
ledge in  many  superior  establishments, 
amongst  which  he  would  here  enumerate 
Eosedale,  the  nursery  of  Eobert  Buist;  Bart- 
ram  Botanic  Gardens,  now  the  property  of  A. 
M.  Eastwick,  Esq.,  and  Springbrook,  the 
country-seat  of  Caleb  Cope,  Esq.,  are,  as  he 
trusts,  sufficient  to  induce  him  to  appear  with- 
out presumption  before  the  public  in  an 
author's  capacity. 

He  would  here  farther  return  his  thanks 
to  his  numerous  friends  for  their  kind  assist- 
ance. Particularly  to  Dr.  "William  Darling- 


ADVERTISEMENT.  xi 

ton,  of  West  Chester,  at  whose  suggestion  the 
work  was  originally  begun.  To  A.  M.  East- 
wick,  Esq.,  to  whom  not  only  the  author,  but 
the  public  at  large  are  indebted  for  the  zeal- 
ous care  and  watchful  jealousy  with  which 
everything  connected  with  the  finest  collec- 
tion of  full-grown  trees  in  the  country  is 
preserved ;  to  Caleb  Cope,  Esq.,  the  ex-Presi- 
dent of  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, he  is  also  indebted  for  much  valuable 
information  and  suggestions,  as  well  as  to 
Thomas  P.  James,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  same 
institution,  Messrs.  E.  Buist,  of  Eosedale,  and 
John  Evans,  of  Eadnor. 

PHILADELPHIA,  September  23,  1853. 


INTRODUCTION. 


TREES  are  essential  to  an  American  home. 
The  frame  building,  the  first  pointer  to  the 
young  mechanic  in  his  arduous  path  towards 
an  honorable  independence,  is  imperfect  with- 
out the  idea  of  shade  trees  surrounding  it. 
And  when,  as  he  proceeds  onwards,  pros- 
perity and  plenty,  smiling  on  his  genius  and 
on  his  talents,  suggest  the  idea  of  a  suburban 
residence,  he  dwells  with  pleasure  on  the 
vast  variety  of  ornamental  flowering  trees, 
producing  each  month  a  succession  of  beauti- 
ful novelties,  clothed  with  an  endless  variety  of 
ever-changing  foliage,  administering  equally 
shade  and  shelter  for  the  body  with  food  and 
enjoyment  for  the  mind,  which  are  pictured 
with  it.  Perhaps  fortune  has  chosen  him 
2 


INTRODUCTION. 

one  of  her  special  favorites.  He  becomes  a 
man  of  wealth.  Being  a  man  of  taste,  en- 
dowed with  an  active  sympathy  for  the  charms 
of  nature ;  alive  to  the  keenest  relish  for  land- 
scape- beauties ;  he  has  seen  in  his  travels 
some  of  the  fairest  specimens  of  nature's 
handiwork  in  forest  scenery,  and  resolved 
on  forming  a  country-seat  where  he 

" with  unsparing  hand, 


May  cull  the  beauties  of  each  land, 
And  blend  them  in  that  favored  spot," 

and  aim  at  producing  in  one  whole  a  pleasing 
picture  of  garden  scenery,  out  of  the  mate- 
rials nature  has  scattered  so  bountifully  in 
various  parts  of  the  world. 

To  aid  the  mechanic  in  the  choite  of  pro- 
per trees  for  his  dwelling,  and  in  their  pro- 
per treatment ;  to  assist  the  active  business 
man  in  most  effectually  embellishing  his 
residence,  and  combining  the  most  beautiful 
with  the  most  useful,  and  to  point  out  to  the 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

retired  citizen  the  principles  by  which  the 
most  pleasing  effects  from  trees  can  be  derived, 
as  well  as  the  most  successful  modes  of  rear- 
ing, planting,  and  cultivating  them,  are  not 
among  the  least  aims  of  the  author  ;  and  are, 
as  he  believes,  compatible  with  the  original 
and  main  design,  as  already  stated. 


HANDBOOK 


OF 

ORNAMENTAL    TREES. 


I.   OF   PROPER  SOIL. 

1.  EACH  kind  of  tree  lias  a  soil  peculiarly 
its  own.     In  that  soil  it  will  do  better  than 
any  other  tree.     The  subject,  then,  is  one  of 
some  moment. 

2.  Science  may  some  day  explain  this  with 
exactness;    practice   and   experiment   have 
taught  us   chiefly  what   we    know   so  far. 
They  have  taught  us  that  an  oak,  beautiful 
on   our  neighbor's  clayey  soil,  would  lan- 
guish in  our  light  sandy  loam ;  and  a  pine 
on   ours — "the  envied  of  all  beholders" — 
would  be   as   equally   uneasy   on   his  stiff 
ground.     We  have  been  enabled  to  learn 
what  trees  are  well  adapted  to  certain  soils — 
in  what  soil  any  given  tree  will  do  well. 

3 


26  AMEBICAN  HANDBOOK 

3.  This  is  of  more  importance  to  the  man 
of  small  means,  than  to  the  man  of  fortune. 
The  latter  can  have  any  tree  he  chooses,  be- 
cause he  can  make  the  soil  to  suit.     The 
other  cannot  afford  the  expense — he  must 
select  the  tree  that  suits  his  soil. 

4.  To  illustrate  the  evil  of  inattention  to 
soil,  take  the  silver  maples  employed  as  shade 
trees  in  Philadelphia;  where  they  are  more 
generally  used  than  any  other  tree.     You 
may  find  it  in  every  situation,  till  you  be- 
lieve that  shade  tree  and  silver  maple  are 
considered  synonymous.     For  ground  wet  or 
dry,  for  soils  light   or   heavy,  it   is  all  the 
same.     Thus,  it  often  finds  itself  in  circum- 
stances   every   way   unsuited    to   it.      The 
leaves  become  small;  the  growth  short  and 
meagre;    the    trunk    hide-bound,   and    the 
branches  covered  with  mosses  and  lichens. 
They  live  and  grow — perhaps  for  years — but 
never  to  satisfaction.     Scores  of  such  speci- 
mens   may   be    seen    at    any   time   in   our 
streets.      The   blame   is   too   often   thrown 
on  the  wrong  source.     The   nurseryman  is 
charged  with  selling  bad  trees,  and  the  re- 
medy sought  for   in   trees   purchased   from 


OF  OKNAMENTAL  TREES.  27 

another  dealer,  "which  also,  in  their  turn, 
must  follow  them." 

5.  The  number  of  species  and  varieties  is 
now  so  great,  that  a  fine  collection  of  trees 
may  be  had  in  even  a  piece  of  ground  with 
one  uniform  soil.    Variety  is  generally  pleas- 
ing ;  and  the  smallest  lot  might  as  well  have 
its  half-dozen  trees  of  different  kinds,  as  in 
one  monotonous  sameness.     If  one  tree  only 
be  wanted,  I  prefer  it  to  be  different  from 
one's  neighbor's  adjoining.     In  addition  to 
the  charm  of  variety,  which  is  added  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  shade,  emulation  has  here  an 
innocent  outlet  for  its  course,  which  will  not 
fail  to  bring  its  gratifying  reward. 

6.  One  objection    to   variety,   so  far   as 
shade  trees   are   concerned,  is  its   cost.     A 
nurseryman  can  afford  to  sell  a  quantity  of 
one  thing  for  less,  than  for  small  lots  of  dif- 
ferent ones.     But,  on  reflection,  few  would 
be   willing  to  forego  the   pleasure  of  that 
variety  which  is  one  of  the  charms  of  natu- 
ral beauty — one  of  the  means  by  which  we 
contrast  that   which  is   superior  with  that 
which  is  beneath — and  rest  satisfied  with  the 
only  change  brought  by  the  seasons,  and  the 


28  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

only  pleasure  that  brought  by  its  shade, 
when  a  trifling  cost  in  the  original  outlay 
will  "  add  all  these  things  unto  them."  The 
saving  of  a  dollar  in  a  gratification  which  is 
expected  to  last  for  life,  is  a  consideration 
which  will  have  little  weight  when  duly 
reflected  on.  A  little  extra  expense  in  a 
selection  of  trees,  a  little  extra  thought  on 
appropriating  each  to  its  most  proper  soil, 
and  a  little  extra  care  bestowed  on  their 
removal  and  replanting,  will  be  amply  repaid 
in  the  future  beauty,  variety,  health,  and 
luxuriousness  of  shade  trees. 

II.   ON  THE   CHOICE   OF  TREES. 

7.  For  shade  trees  it  is  considered  advan- 
tageous to  possess  the  property  of  trans- 
planting easily.  This  is  a  great  reason  why 
certain  trees  become  so  popular  in  some  dis- 
tricts as  to  give  them  a  character.  But,  in 
reality,  there  are  no  trees  difficult  to  trans- 
plant. When  the  true  principles  of  the  ope- 
ration are  understood,  a  beech  may  be  trans- 
planted as  easily  as  an  ailanthus,  or  a  sour- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  29 

gum  as  a  maple.     This  I  hope  to  make  plain 
to  the  reader  as  we  proceed. 

8.  In  choosing  trees,  prefer   those  raised 
in  a  nursery  to  those  growing  naturally  in 
the  woods.     Most  persons  are  aware  of  the 
difficulty  of  getting  the  latter  to  do  well.     A 
glance  at  the  nature  of  roots  will  teach  us 
the  reason.    There  are  two  sets  of  roots  to 
most  trees,  perhaps  to  all.     One  consists  of 
fibres,  the  sole  office  of  which  is  to  draw  mat- 
ter from  the  soil  for  the  use  of  the  tree ;  the 
other  of  true  roots,  which  extend  and  keep 
the  tree  in  its  position,  affording  at  the  same 
time   channels  for  the   conveyance   of   the 
matter  absorbed  by  the  fibres.     This  distinc- 
tion must  be  well  noted.     Fibres,  as  I  have 
repeatedly   proved,    are   annual,   dying   out 
after   a  season's  service.     New  fibres   make 
their   appearance    as    the    extending    roots 
grow;   and  are,  consequently,  farther  away 
from  the  collar  of  the  tree  in  proportion  to 
its  age. 

9.  The  roots  of  trees  have  their  peculiari- 
ties of  divarication  as  well  as  the  branches. 
Some  trees  grow  erect,  or  horizontal,  making 
few  side  shoots,  and  looking  always  sparse 


30  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

and  thin ;  others  branch  and  re-branch  in 
every  direction.  So  it  is  with  their  roots. 
The  sour-gnm  throws  out  a  few  strong  roots, 
scarcely  making  a  single  fork;  while  the 
linden  throws  out  an  abundance  of  rootlets 
in  every  direction.  If  we  attempt  to  take 
up  a  specimen  of  the  former  by  the  common 
practice,  that  is,  by  opening  a  trench  but  a 
few  feet  from  the  trunk,  we  find  that  though 
we  may  have  a  great  many  roots,  we  have 
very  few  or  no  fibres.  They  are  left  with 
the  roots  in  the  ground,  at  their  extremities. 
Such  a  tree  is  reduced  to  the  condition  of  a 
mere  cutting,  and  without  the  treatment  pro- 
per for  a  cutting,  cannot  grow.  Trees  taken 
up  by  the  same  mode,  that  have  an  abund- 
ance of  branching  roots,  are  more  likely  to 
have  fibres  near  the  stem,  and  so  succeed. 
This  constitutes  the  chief  difference  between 
a  tree  that  will  "  remove  easily"  and  one 
which  will  not. 

10.  It  should  be  an  early  inquiry  whether 
a  tree  proposed  to  be  transplanted  have  the 
above-mentioned  conditions  of  success  or 
not.  A  tree  from  a  nursery  has  been  trans- 
planted when  very  young,  perhaps  several 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  31 

times.  The  repeated  cuttings  off  of  the 
young  roots  cause  them  to  branch  out  nu- 
merously, attended,  of  course,  by  an  abund- 
ance of  fibres.  That  is  exactly  the  tree  for 
the  planter.  Trees  from  the  woods  will  be 
in  a  worse  case.  Where  they  are  particu- 
larly desired,  there  are  two  ways  of  pro- 
cedure. We  may  dig  out  a  space  two  feet 
deep,  at  from  four  to  six  feet  from  the  trunk 
of  the  tree,  according  to  its  size,  which  will 
cut  all  the  roots  to  that  depth.  Immediately 
replace  the  earth,  into  which  they  will  fibre. 
The  following  year  the  tree  may  be  removed 
with  safety.  In  the  other  case,  the  roots 
should  be  followed  to  their  extremities,  the 
fibres  gathered  together  carefully,  and  rolled 
up  with  the  roots  towards  the  trunk  of  the 
tree,  where  they  can  be  protected  from  in- 
jury. The  ball  of  earth  on  which  so  much 
care  is  given  to  cultivate  trees,  is  of  little 
importance  in  this  case.  There  being  but 
few  fibres  at  the  base,  the  ball  can  be  of  slight 
service,  while  it  materially  adds  to  the  ex- 
pense, and  is  actually  a  drawback  by  render- 
ing the  tree  more  unmanageable. 

11.  In  these  two  modes  of  removal,  sue- 


32  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

cess  greatly  depends  upon  the  operator;  a 
careful,  persevering,  determined  hand,  per- 
forms more,  and  with  better  results,  than  a 
hasty,  undecided,  and  unpractical  individual. 
The  latter  mode,  in  the  right  kind  of  hands, 
will  give  the  most  satisfaction  in  the  end. 

III.   ON   RAISING  TREES. 

12.  For  reasons  already  explained  in  the 
last  section,  trees  are  far  better  for  the  plant- 
er when  raised  artificially.     Each  tree's  pe- 
culiar treatment  will  be  noticed  in  another 
part ;  here  we  may  note  a  few  generalities. 

13.  Whenever  it  is  convenient  to   raise 
trees  from   seeds,   they  will    become   most 
vigorous ;  though,  under  favorable  circum- 
stances, cutting  layers  or  grafts,  will  some- 
times equal  or  excel. 

14.  Many  seeds  lie  two  years  in  the  ground 
before  they  grow.     Anything  that  will  assist 
the  decomposition  of  their  shells  or  outer 
cases,  hastens   their  germination.     Applica- 
tions of  oxalic  acid,  or  boiling  water,  have 
been  found  useful,  as  well  as  allowing  the 
seed  to  lie  in  a  heap  and  ferment ;  or  even 


; 
OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  33 

by  freezing  them  for  a  short  time  by  packing 
them  in  ice.  It  is  a  fruitful  field  5  but  few 
discoveries  have  been  made  in  it. 

15.  Trees  of  rapid  growth  should  be  trans- 
planted at  the  end  of  the  first  season.  In 
other  cases,  they  may  remain  two  years  in 
the 


IV.  THE   BEST  SIZE   FOR  TRANSPLANTING. 

16.  This  is  a  much  disputed  point.     There 
are  many  good  reasons  for  preferring  large 
trees.     The  man  who  has  become  superior 
to  the  active  duties  of  business,  through  a 
long  course  of  years,  and  desires  to  pass  the 
remainder  of  his  days  in  the  peaceful  retire- 
ment of  a  country-seat,  cannot  afford  to  wait 
till  young  trees  grow  up  with  their  grateful 
shade.     He  will  prefer  large  trees.     Taken 
up  properly  (see  par.  10),  and  at  a  proper 
season  (par.  21),  they  will  succeed  perfectly, 
and  the  immediate  object  be  gained. 

17.  Such  trees,  however,  never  grow  with 
mUch  luxuriousness.     Young  thrifty  trees, 
under  favorable  circumstances,  equal  them 
in   a  few  years,  and  eventually  go  ahead. 


34  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Besides,  there  is  great  pleasure  to  be  derived 
from  watching  each  year's  luxuriant  growth. 
The  gratification  which  immediate  shade  is 
calculated  to  afford,  is  more  than  balanced 
by  the  pride  we  feel  in  pointing  to  a  thriving 
tree  which,  but  a  few  years  ago,  we  could 
have  put  into  our  coat  pocket. 

18.  Where  trees  have  to  be  procured  from 
a  distance,  or  a  nursery  in  general,  young 
trees  should  always  be  preferred.     The  haste 
unavoidable  in  a  nursery  at  the  planting  sea- 
son, is  unfavorable  to  great  care  in  lifting 
them ;  while  the  readiness  with  which  small 
trees  can  be  taken  up,  and  the  facilities  they 
afford  for  careful  packing,  is  a  powerful  ar- 
gument in  their  favor. 

V.  THE   BEST  SEASON  TO   PLANT. 

19.  When    the    principles   of   successful 
planting  are  understood,  trees  can  be  removed 
at  any  time.     A  tree  on  being  transplanted 
is,  in  some  respects,  in  the  condition  of  a 
cutting.     Let  us  inquire,  then,  what  are  the 
principles  of  propagation  ? 

20.  Cuttings  are  taken  generally  from  half 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  35 

ripened  wood,  are  planted  in  light  or  sandy 
soil,  and  plunged  in  material  a  few  degrees 
warmer  than  the  atmosphere.  Over  the  cut- 
tings bell-glasses  are  placed.  These  are  the 
main  points — variations  being  made  to  suit 
peculiarities  of  each  kind.  Now  for  the 
principles.  Half-ripened  wood  contains  the 
"  descending  sap,"  out  of  which  roots  are 
formed.  Cuttings  are  "  too  young"  when 
the  sap  has  not  been  elaborated ;  "  too  hard" 
when  the  descending  current  is  feeble,  or  has 
ceased.  The  sandy  soil  admits  air,  which  is 
essential  to  the  formation  of  roots.  Bottom 
heat  excites  the  base  of  the  cutting,  encour- 
aging it  to  form  roots  before  the  top  starts 
into  active  life.  Bell-glasses  prevent  evapo- 
ration from  the  leaves  and  stems,  checking 
their  demand  for  nutriment  till  the  roots  are 
formed  to  supply  them.  Let  us  carry  this 
illustration  to  our  subject. 

21.  In  planting,  the  immediate  object  is  to 
get  a  speedy  formation  of  new  roots  or  fibres. 
The  best  time  to  plant,  then,  will  be  when 
the  earth  is  a  few  degrees  warmer  than  the 
atmosphere,  and  when  the  elaborated  sap  is 


36  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

descending  and  active,  and  the  tree  itself 
least  likely  to  suffer  from  excessive  evapora- 
tion. That  time  is  the  autumn ;  at  the  fall 
of  the  leaf. 

22.  Autumn  planting,  however,  has  its  dis- 
advantages. The  soil  is  generally  very  dry 
and  unmanageable.  The  tree  comes  up  with 
difficulty,  and  the  new  fibres  dry  up  as  fast 
as  they  push.  Another  disadvantage  is,  if 
we  wait  till  the  fall  rains  have  deeply  pene- 
trated the  soil,  there  is  danger  of  having  to 
leave  the  operation  unfinished  by  frost.  If 
the  planting  be  not  very  extensive,  it  is  much 
better  for  the  tree  to  apply  water  when  re- 
quisite, and  have  it  done  in  the  best  time. 
The  future  health  of  the  tree  will  repay  the 
additional  expense. 

-  23.  Spring  planting  is  most  usually  fol- 
lowed. The  ground  is  so  pliable,  it  seems 
to  save  so  much  labor,  and  the  work  can  go 
right  ahead  to  completion.  This  is  all  that 
can  be  said  in  its  favor. 

24.  Winter  planting,  or  the  "  Frozen  ball" 
system,  is  sometimes  adopted.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  winter,  a  hole  is  prepared  for  the 
tree,  and  the  tree  itself  prepared  with  "a 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  37 

ball"  just  ready  for  removal.  When  the  ball 
is  frozen  through,  it  is  taken  off  to  the  spot 
prepared  for  it,  suffered  to  thaw,  and  then 
the  hole  filled  up.  I  do  not  approve  of  this 
system,  having  seen  it  fail  on  a  very  exten- 
sive scale.  The  frost  and  atmosphere  to- 
gether, seem  to  act  injuriously  on  the  cut 
and  exposed  roots ;  besides,  as  I  have  al- 
ready observed  (par.  10),  no  amount  of 
"  ball"  can  compensate  for  a  want  of  fibres. 

25.  Though  I  lay  down  the  rule  that  au- 
tumn planting  is  preferable  under  most  cir- 
cumstances, it  can  be  carried  out  in  any  sea- 
son of  the  year.     I  have  planted  in  every 
month  for  experiment  sake.     The  worst  pe- 
riod is  just  after  the  tree  has  burst  forth  its 
leaves  in  spring.     Success  is  more  probable 
every  succeeding  month  till  the  fall,  when 
the  most  favorable  period  for  the  process  has 
arrived.     There  is  a  regular  ebb  and  flow, 
like  the  tides  and  the  seasons,  in  the  rise  and 
fall  of  the  sap. 

26.  I  will  give  one  illustration  to  accom- 
pany the  last  paragraph.     In   one  of  my 
situations,  a  fine  apricot-tree  had  to  be  trans- 
planted or  destroyed,  in  the  month  of  June, 

4 


38  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

to  make  way  for  some  alterations  in  a  car- 
riage house.  The  fruit  was  at  the  time  as 
large  as  pigeons'  eggs.  The  young  shoots 
were  cut  back,  as  far  as  they  seemed  "watery," 
to  check  evaporation.  The  roots  were  wa- 
tered, and  covered  with  damp  mats  as  fast 
as  they  were  exposed.  It  was  taken  out 
without  the  particle  of  a  ball,  planted  at 
once,  and  finally  well  watered.  Not  a  leaf 
withered.  It  was  not  watered  again  the 
whole  season.  The  next  spring  it  was  a 
sheet  of  blossom,  and  had  the  curculio  been 
well  disposed,  would  have  borne  a  splendid 
crop. 

VI.   PRUNING. 

27.  Is  it  necessary  to  cut  back  the  branches 
of  a  tree  on  transplanting  ?     As  much  so  as 
it  may  be  necessary  to  cut  off  a  man's  limb 
to  save  his  life.     In  either  case,  it  is  a  neces- 
sity upon   which  the   operator   might  well 
ponder,  and  hesitate  to  act. 

28.  If  fall  planting  be  adopted,  the  elabo- 
rated sap,  contained  in   every  branch,  will 
assist  in  the  formation  of  roots.     As  there  is 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  39 

little  or  no  evaporation  from  the  tree  in  the 
winter  season,  the  branches  can  do  no  harm 
any  way ;  and  by  the  spring,  the  tree  will 
have  made  roots  to  serve  them. 

29.  In  spring  planting  also,  if  the  roots 
have   an   abundance   of  fibres,  cut  nothing 
away ;  they  can  support  all.     If  otherwise, 
pruning  must  be  resorted  to,  or  the  sap  will 
be  dried  out  of  them  before  the  tree  can 
raise  a  necessary  supply. 

30.  The  whole  question  is  reduced  to  one 
of  evaporation.     If  there  be  fibres   enough 
to  sustain  great  evaporation,  the  less  cut  the 
better. 

VII.  THE   OPERATION   OF  TRANSPLANTING. 

31.  The  common  mode  of  planting  is  to 
dig  out  a  hole,  stick  in  a  tree,  and  leave  the 
rest  to  nature.     This  is  not  care  enough.     A 
tree  will  repay  reasonable  attention. 

32.  In  preparing  a  piece  of  ground  for 
planting,  few  operations  are  more  beneficial 
than  draining.     Some  trees,  certainly,  thrive 
in  swamps ;  but  these  are  little  employed, 


40  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

and  comprise  but  a  small  section  of  orna- 
mental trees. 

The  majority  thrive  best  in  well-drained 
soil.  I  know  of  no  soil,  except  those  on 
sandy  or  gravelly  substrata,  not  improved  by 
draining. 

It  frequently  renders  a  poor  soil  perma- 
nently fertile.  By  an  underdrain  a  channel 
is  opened  beneath  the  surface,  which  draws 
down  the  rain,  bringing  with  it  the  various 
gases  mixed  with  it,  as  well  as  the  many  fer- 
tilizing ingredients  always  found  at  the  sur- 
face, all  of  which  would  otherwise  have  been 
washed  away  to  the  nearest  stream.  A  piece 
of  ground  well  supplied  with  underdrains, 
from  the  great  quantity  of  air-spaces  the 
draught  of  water  through  it  occasions,  is 
always  moist  without  the  possibility  of  be- 
coming soured  by  saturation.  So  much  do 
I  value  draining  as  a  means  of  highly  and 
permanently  improving  land  for  trees,  that 
were  I  offered  a  thousand  dollars  for  manure, 
or  five  hundred  to  be  expended  in  draining, 
previously  to  planting  a  piece  of  ground,  I 
would  unhesitatingly  choose  the  latter.  If 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  41 

well  executed,  the  most  substantial  and  last- 
ing benefit  would  ensue. 

33.  In  some  cases,  natural  causes  prevent 
draining,  or  the  piece  of  ground  would  not 
warrant  the  outlay;  the  expense  being 
greater  than  the  corresponding  advantages. 
In  such  cases,  if  the  ground  be  very  wet,  I 
would  plant  on  the  surface  instead  of  below 
it.  I  have  described  my  practice  in  this  re- 
spect in  the  Horticulturist,  for  1849.  The 
ground  is  first  trenched,  or  dug  deep,  the 
tree  placed  on  the  desired  spot,  and  the  earth 
spread  over  the  roots;  the  whole,  when 
finished,  mound-like.  The  appearance  of 
trees  thus  planted  is  objectionable.  The 
ground  appears  to  an  observer  to  have  been 
lowered,  the  trees  indicating  the  original 
height.  Such  appearances  detract  from  that 
natural  looking  beauty  a  garden  ought  to 
exhibit.  The  mode  can  only  be  tolerated 
where  the  ground  cannot  be  drained. 

Bad  as  its  appearance  is,  it  is  preferable  to 
seeing  trees  planted  in  holes  which,  in  reality, 
become  wells  of  stagnant  water,  with  their 
tenants  rotten  at  the  roots,  their  trunk  the 
sport  of  every  passing  breeze. 
4* 


42  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

34.  One  of  the  commonest  errors  is  deep 
planting.     The  fibres  or  feeding  roots  of  a 
tree,  cannot  exist  long  far  beneath  the  sur- 
face.    Abstracting  a  portion  of  their  supplies 
from  the  atmosphere,  they  must  be  contigu- 
ous to  it.    I  have  seen  peaches,  maples,  and 
elms,  killed  in  six  months  by  having  the 
soil  about  them  raised  fifteen  inches.     Those 
who   delight  in   seeing  how  nature   works, 
may  look  at  any  old  forest,  where  the  fibre- 
bearing  roots  cover  the  surface  like  railroads 
on   a   modern   map.     The   tap   roots    only, 
bearing  no  fibres,  and  evidently  acting  solely 
as  supports  to  the  tree,  penetrate  far  into  the 
soil. 

35.  A  fear  of  the  tree  blowing  over,  or 
becoming  parched  in  summer,  is  a  common 
motive  for  deep  planting.    A  tree  planted 
with  long  roots  (par.  10)  will  never  blow 
over ;  the  weight  of  soil  on  the  roots  keep- 
ing them  in  their  position. 

When  otherwise  planted,  they  should  be 
securely  staked ;  and  if  liable  to  parch,  the 
soil  ought  to  be  covered  with  short  grass  or 
other  substance,  as  a  mulching.  If,  however, 
the  principles  of  planting,  as  I  have  explained 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  43 

them,  are  understood  and  attended  to,  there 
will  seldom  be  occasion  for  one  or  the  other. 


VIII.   ON  THE  SELECTION  OF  KINDS  OF  TREES. 

36.  Firstly,  we  have  to  consider  what  the 
tree  is  wanted  for ;   whether  for  shade,  for 
ornament,  or  both  combined;  for  utility  or 
beauty ;  whether  a  rapid  growth  be  desired, 
or  the  highest  effects  of  the  art  without  re- 
ference  to   time;   whether  they  are   to  be 
planted  singly,  or  together  in  masses  ? 

37.  A  shade  tree   should  have   a   widely 
spreading  head,   abundant  leaves,  or  dense 
foliage.     It  should  bud  forth  early  in  spring, 
and  retain  its  leaves   late   in   autumn.     It 
should  also  be  free  from  unpleasant  odors, 
and  liability  to  attacks  of  disease  or  insects. 
All  fruit-trees  are  objectionable.    Who  would 
choose  a  Lombardy  poplar  for  a  shade  tree  ? 
The  honey -locust  has  too  fine  a  foliage.    The 
odor  of  the  ailanthus   is   unpleasant.     The 
Kentucky  coffee  buds  late,  and  the  American 
buttonwood  is  too  unhealthy.     Still,  there  is 
great  scope  for  variety.     Fine  selections  can 
be  made  from  amongst  the  horse-chestnuts 


44  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

and  buckeyes,  maples,  some  birches,  ashes, 
tulip-tree,  magnolias,  hop  horn-bean,  Eng- 
lish buttonwood,  the  oaks,  sweet-chestnut, 
sophora,  and  in  some  parts  or  situations, 
lindens  and  willows. 

38.  But  it   is  by  no  means  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases  that  trees  are  planted  for  the 
mere  luxury  of  the  shade  they  afford,  or 
their  utility   in  screening   disagreeable  ob- 
jects.    They  are  valued  for  the  effect  they 
have  on  the  landscape;  the  beauty  they  ex- 
hibit in  their  forms;  the   cheerfulness  that 
dwells  in  their  foliage;  the  gayety  that  bursts 
from  their   opening  blossoms,  charms;  and 
the   contrasts   they  make  with   each   other, 
please.     To  these,  if  they  combine  harmony 
with  surrounding  objects,  expression  of  the 
artist's  ideas,  or  association  with  classic  his- 
tory, or  remarkable  occurrences,  they  afford 
additional  interest.     These  are  points  which 
few  can  master  thoroughly,  without  long  and 
careful  study.     Yet,  on  the  perfection  of  this 
knowledge,  depends  the  production  of  the 
most  pleasing  effects  from  ornamental  arbori- 
culture. 

39.  The  effect  to  be  produced  by  trees, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  45 

should  be  particularly  well  studied.  The 
object  must  never  be  lost  sight  of.  Pleasure, 
in  its  broadest  sense,  is  generally  a  main 
object;  this  is  always  to  be  derived  from  a 
perception  of  the  beautiful.  Unity,  harmo- 
ny, and  appropriate  fitness,  are  the  essential 
elements  of  beauty ;  to  these,  then,  must  the 
planter's  efforts  turn. 

40.  The  relation  or  fitness  of  a  tree  to  the 
subject  in  connection  with  it,  will  be  one  of 
first  importance  in  the  study  of  effect.  A 
tree,  beautiful  in  some  situations,  and  in  con- 
nection with  some  objects,  will  fail  to  please 
under  other  circumstances.  A  tree  out  of 
character  is  as  offensive  to  the  ciiltivated 
mind  as  would  be  a  dress  of  the  finest  satin 
on  the  back  of  a  beggar.  So,  an  idea  at- 
tached to  a  tree  by  association,  gives  it  a 
character  which  cannot  be  removed  from  it 
without  violence.  A  traveller,  accustomed 
to  associate  the  cypress  or  yew-tree  with 
churchyards  or  monuments,  would  be  pain- 
fully struck  on  meeting  an  avenue  of  them 
leading  to  a  mansion.  The  same  ideas  hold 
good  in  the  peculiar  character  of  trees,  as 
well  as  in  their  associations.  A  magnificent 


46  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

deodar,  or  even  a  Norway  spruce,  solitary 
and  alone?  would  look  as  ridiculous  by  the 
side  of  one  of  our  western  log-houses,  as 
a  noble,  weather-beaten,  rustic-looking  oak 
would  alongside  a  magnificent  modern  spe- 
cimen of  city  architecture. 

41.  We  often  hear  the  remark  that  ever- 
greens around  a  mansion  look  so  beautiful. 
Others  again  give  a  decided  ^preference  to 
deciduous  trees.  This  difference  of  opinion 
can  be  accounted  for  on  philosophical  princi- 
ples, and  does  not  originate  from  any  varia- 
tion in  the  principles  of  beauty.  Evergreens 
are  the  accompaniments  of  the  thoughtful 
and  the  reflective.  As  we  advance  in  age, 
the  fondness  for  them  grows  more  devoted. 
Their  unchanging  character  suits  the  re- 
flective steadiness  that  characterizes  old  age, 
and  which  draws  our  affection  towards  them 
as  to  bosom  friends.  Deciduous  trees  are 
emblematic  of  lightness  and  gayety;  the 
young  and  untutored  will  always  prefer 
them.  Our  happiest  remembrances  cling 
around  the  old  oak  of  our  childhood's  home, 
without  a  thought  or  a  care  for  the  holly  or 
the  pine. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  47 

42.  For  these  reasons  evergreens  should 
never  preponderate  around  places,  or  in 
situations  devoted  to  amusement  or  recrea- 
tion. By  schools,  or  places  devoted  to  the 
young,  they  are  objectionable  in  great  num- 
bers. Unsuggestive  of  lightness  and  gayety, 
they  are  opposed  to  the  thoughtless,  yet 
happy  innocence  of  childhood.  Wherever 
the  aged  love  to  resort,  whatever  is  to  have 
an  air  of  solitude  or  peace,  there  is  the  spot 
which  evergreens  will  adorn;  here  is  the 
point  from  which  they  will  really  seem  beau- 
tiful. 

.43.  The  selection  of  trees  for  effect  can 
then  depend  upon  no  particular  rule,  fitness 
or  appropriateness  depending  upon  each  cir- 
cumstance; but  unity  and  harmony  are  more 
general  in  their  application. 

44.  Unity  of  design  must  not  degenerate 
into  formality;  nor  harmony  into  monotony. 
It  is  the  frequency  of  this  degeneracy  that 
produces  the  opposite  errors  of  irregularity 
and  discord.  One,  in  a  mistaken  view  of 
unity,  will  divide  his  grounds  into  two  equal 
parts,  and  an  oak  or  an  elm  on  one  side 
must  have  precisely  the  same  on  the  other, 


48  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

as  if  to  balance  the  whole.  Another,  dis- 
gusted with  such  abortions  of  taste,  plunges 
into  the  opposite  error.  His  place  has  the 
appearance  of  having  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  men  of  all  principles,  ages,  and  nations, 
each  one  of  whom  had  successively  stuck  on 
a  patch,  till,  between  the  daubs  of  so  many 
brushes  on  their  objectionable  part  of  the 
picture,  little  of  the  original  design  is  left. 

45.  Variety  is  not  opposed  to  unity.  The 
oneness  should  be  in  the  outline;  the  more 
varied,  then,  the  filling  up,  the  better.  The 
carriage  entrance  to  an  old  mansion  is  often 
improved  by  a  row  of  trees  on  each  side. 
Each  set  of  two  placed  opposite  to  one  an- 
other, should  of  course  correspond.  One 
would  as  soon  see  beauty  in  one  gate-post, 
or  one  eye  being  larger  than  the  other,  as  to 
see  anything  different  in  this  respect.  Yet 
there  could  be  no  objection  to  the  successive 
sets  of  trees  varying  in  species  or  varieties, 
so  long  as  no  rule  of  harmony  was  broken 
thereby.  A  light,  airy-looking  tree,  like  the 
hemlock-spruce,  should  not  be  placed  imme- 
diately after  a  rugged,  artificial-looking  Nor- 
way. Its  gracefulness  would  be  in  part 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  49 

absorbed  by  the  rusticity  of  the  latter,  and 
both  lose  by  comparison. 

46.  This  harmony  of  color,  shade,   and 
contrast,  is  of  more  importance  in  the  gene- 
ral arrangement  of  trees  in  a  garden,  than  in 
such  an  avenue  as  I  have  described.    They 
are  to  be  looked  at  in  greater  masses,  seen 
from  more  distant  points  of  view,  or  from 
more  varied  positions. 

47.  The  colors,  tints,  and  hues  of  the  fo- 
liage at  different  seasons  of  the  year,  will 
then  have  to  be  more  particularly  studied. 
Much  may  be  lost  or  gained  in  the  effect  of 
a  single  tree.     The  golden  hue  of  a  sugar 
maple  in  the  fall,  appears  to  great  advantage 
followed  by  a  sassafras  with  its  rosy  yellow 
tints ;  and  this,  again,  followed  by  a  red  or 
swamp  maple  or  tupelo,  forms  a   beautiful 
combination.     If  we  were  to  take  away  the 
sassafras  and  replace  it  with  a  British  oak, 
the  effect  would  be  anything  but  pleasing. 

48.  Not  only  in  color  should  there  be  har- 
mony, but  also  in  height,  habit,  and  appear- 
ance.    All  violent  contrasts  are  opposed  to 
natural  beauty.    In  the  oft-quoted  language 
of  Eay,  "  nature  never  takes  leaps,"  but  pro- 

5 


50  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

ceeds  gradually  step  by  step.  Differing  in 
variety,  yet  united  in  general  principles,  each 
dump  or  section  of  trees  in  a  landscape  will 
possess  characters  exclusively  its  own.  Few 
mistakes  can  arise  from  planting  trees  sim- 
ply ;  harmony  and  association  with  the  ob- 
jects alone  being  called  for. 

49.  In  planting  for  a  wood  or  grove,  it  is 
frequently  the  desire  to  make  a  small  place 
look  larger.  Every  bend  should  possess 
some  new  or  striking  feature.  A  long  walk 
around  a  wood  will  not  please  without  an 
object.  A  visitor  may  be  surprised  at  the 
extent,  but  to  the  proprietor  it  is  wearisome. 
His  pleasure  can  only  be  secured  by  a  suc- 
cession of  ever  present,  yet  ever  changing 
objects  of  beauty  along  the  course. 

-50.  Thus  the  planter  should  be  imbued 
with  the  principles  of  beauty.  Without 
them  his  labors  may  excite  only  wonder  at 
their  extent^  or  surprise  at  their  variety ; 
with  them,  he  combines  lasting  beauty — a 
source  of  unvarying  pleasure  and  delight. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  51 


IX.   OF  TREES  INDiyiDUALLY. 

ABIES,  Tournefort.—Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceae.  Mo- 
;noeeia,  Honadelphia,  Linn.  Cones  mostly 
pendant,  seldom  clustering,  cylindrically 
conical;  scales  not  thickened  at  the  top. 
Leaves  solitary,  somewhat  scattered,  and 
arranged  more  or  less  in  two  rows. 

1.  A.  CANADENSIS,  Micliaux.  Leaves  soli- 
tary, flat,  toothed  near  the  point,  disposed 
irregularly  in  two  ranks,  each  about  half  an 
inch  long.  Cones  oval,  terminal,  scarcely 
longer  than  the  leaves. — Hemlock  spruce. 
Native  of  the  Northern  States. 

It  would  not  be  exaggeration  to  pro- 
nounce this  the  most  beautiful  evergreen  in 
cultivation.  Beautiful  as  many  of  the  new 
pines  are,  few  approach  this.  It  has  regu- 
larity without  formality ;  and,  in  any  point 
of  view,  elegance  and  gracefulness.  Its  habit 
is  frequently  so  erect  as  to  approach  the  fas- 
tigiate;  yet  -the  ends  of  its  branches  are  as 
pendulous  as  a  Babylonian  willow.  Its  co- 
lor is  not  of  that  mournful  cast  so  common 
to  other  Pinaceae;  nor  of  that  consumptive- 


52  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

looking  hue  so  connected  with  sickliness. 
Stepping  between  these  it  is  suggestive  of 
innocence  and  lightness,  which  cannot  fail  to 
attract  admirers  for  it,  in  whatever  situation 
placed.  It  will  make  the  prettiest  object 
when  grown  by  itself;  but  it  is  a  tree  that 
has  no  aversion  to  company.  The  largest 
specimen  at  Bartram  is  ninety-four  feet  high, 
and  eight  feet  four  inches  in  circumference. 

It  thrives  best  in  a  light  alluvial  loam, 
contiguous  to  moisture;  but  is  soon  injured 
in  wet  situations.  It  will  grow  in  the  driest 
soils;  but,  unless  the  atmosphere  is  very 
humid,  to  little  advantage.  It  is  propagated 
by  seeds  sown  early  in  the  spring  in  boxes 
or  beds  of  well-drained  sandy  loam,  but 
slightly  covered  with  soil,  and  kept  mode- 
rately moist  and  shaded.  When  two  years 
old  they  may  be  removed  to  nursery  rows 
one  foot  apart  in  the  row.  "When  they  have 
been  thus  raised,  and  once  afterwards  trans- 
planted, they  can  be  transplanted  easily  at 
any  future  time.  They  seldom  do  well  re- 
moved from  the  woods.  ;££  j 

2.  A.  DOUGLASSII,  Lindley.  Leaves  flat, 
comb-like  in  their  arrangement,  silvery  be- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  53 

neath;  about  one  inch  long.  Cones  about 
four  inches  long,  and  two  broad,  borne  on 
the  ends  of  the  branches,  with  many  sharp, 
linear  bracteas  at  the  base;  ovate  oblong. — 
Douglass's  spruce.  Native  of  the  states  on 
the  Pacific.  Grows  to  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  high,  and  is  represented  to  be  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  of  the  tribe.  The  finest 
specimen  I  have  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Philadelphia  is  about  five  feet  high,  very 
vigorous  and  hardy.  This  is  on  a  sandy, 
j^et  moist  hill,  with  a  south  aspect.  On  a 
cold  aspect,  in  a  stiff  loam,  they  do  not  suc- 
ceed well.  Most  of  the  plants  in  the  nurse- 
ries are  raised  from  cuttings,  which  make 
fine  plants ;  but  many  are  now  raised  from 
seed  obtained  from  their  native  places  of 
growth.  These  should  be  sown  as  soon  as 
received'  in  pans  of  sandy  loam,  the  seeds 
very  little  covered;  and  if  they  can  be 
placed  in  the  soil  separately,  with  their 
sharpest  ends  downwards,  it  would  be  to 
their  advantage.  Sometimes  the  seeds  will 
remain  a  year  in  the  soil  before  germinating. 
3.  A.  EXCELSA,  De  Candolle.  Leaves  scat- 
tered, quadrangular,  curved,  and  sharp-point- 
5* 


54  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

ed.  Cones  cylindrical,  terminal;  of  a  rich 
reddish,  brown  when  ripe;  five  to  seven 
inches  long,  one  and  a  half  to  two  inches 
broad. — Norway  spruce. 

There  is  a  great  diversity  of  opinion  re- 
specting the  merits  of  this  tree  in  a  land- 
scape. The  objection  is  chiefly  to  the  mo- 
notonous formality  of  its  appearance;  yet, 
when  it  is  in  a  situation  highly  artificial  or 
extra-natural— as  near  ornamental  buildings, 
on  rugged,  rocky  places,  or  on  the  tops  of 
informal  hills — there  is  probably  nothing 
more  beautiful.  The  finest  specimen  at  Bar- 
tram  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  high, 
and  seven  feet  two  inches  in  circumference ; 
beautifully  clothed  with  branches  to  near 
the  ground.  It  is  growing  on  a  light  gra- 
velly loam,  on  a  substratum  of  gravel.  It 
generally  thrives  best  in  a  cool  sandy  loam, 
where  the  soil  is  always  moist,  but  not  wet. 

Propagation,  &c.,  see  No.  1. 

4.  A.  NIGRA,  Aiton.  Leaves  solitary,  regu- 
larly disposed  all  round  the  branches,  erect, 
very  short,  somewhat  quadrangular.  Cones 
ovate,  about  one  and  a  half  inch  long,  and 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  wide  in  the  middle ; 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  55 

the  scales  blunt,  roundish,  very  thin,  and 
when  ripe,  ragged  and  torn  at  the  margin. — 
Black  spruce.  Native  of  the  Northern  and 
Middle  States. 

In  its  native  localities  this  tree  often  at- 
tains seventy  feet  in  height,  though  its 
diameter  is  never  great.  It  much  resembles 
the  Norway,  but  is  not  pendulous.  It 
spreads  horizontally  like  that  species,  but 
has  a  darker  hue.  It  will  grow  alike  in  the 
lowest  or  the  most  elevated  situations ;  on 
the  rocky  hill-side,  or  in  a  spot  nearly 
swampy.  It  seems  to  thrive  best  in  a  cool, 
light  loam.  There  are  no  very  fine  speci- 
mens now  at  Bartram,  the  largest  is  thirty- 
four  feet  high  by  twenty -four  inches  in  cir- 
cumference. 

For  propagation,  &c.,  see  No.  1. 

5.  A.  SMITHIANA,  Wallich.  Leaves  com- 
pressed, tetragonal,  straight,  somewhat  awl- 
shaped,  sharp-pointed,  one  to  one  and  a  half 
inch  long,  pale  green,  and  somewhat  glaucous. 
Cones  ovate  oblong,  solitary,  four  to  seven 
inches  long.  —  Smith's  Himalayan  spruce. 
Morinda.  Himalayas. 

This  is  said  to  grow  about  fifty  feet  high 


56  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  its  native  country,  and  to  surpass  the 
Norway  in  beauty ;  its  habit  is  not  quite 
so  pendulous ;  the  leaves  are  longer,  and  of 
a  lighter  hue,  and  the  whole  habit  seems 
grosser  and  more  luxuriant.  It  seems  to 
thrive  best  in  a  deep,  strong  loam,  in  an  ele- 
vated situation,  but  not  too  much  exposed  to 
the  sun. 

ACACIA,  Willdenow. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabaceae. 
Polygamia,  Moncecia,  Linn.  Calyx  4  or  5- 
toothed.  Legume  dry,  2-valved. 

A.  JULIBRISSIN,  Willdenow.  Without 
spines.  Leaves  with  eight  or  ten  pairs  of 
pinnae,  and  a  small  gland  at  the  base  of  each 
petiole.  Heads  of  flowers  pedunculate,  form- 
ing nearly  a  panicle.  Native  of  the  Levant; 
flowers  in  July.  The  julibrissin  is  a  highly 
ornamental  tree,  resembling,  but  far  excel- 
ling, in  habit  and  appearance,  the  honey - 
locust.  "When  it  is  old,  it  has  a  round- 
headed  character;  its  branches  spreading 
very  wide.  Its  foliage  always  gives  it  a 
graceful  appearance ;  but  when  in  flower,  it 
is  surpassed  in  beauty  by  few.  It  is  per- 
fectly hardy  in  Philadelphia,  though  liable 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  57 

to  lose  the  tops  of  the  young  wood  in  severe 
winters.  There  are  several  fine  specimens 
in  the  vicinity,  some  fifty  feet  high;  the 
largest  Bartram  specimen  is  about  thirty-five 
feet  high  by  twenty-seven  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

It  delights  in  a  dry,  rich  loam,  and  a 
warm,  open  situation.  It  is  cultivated  from 
seeds,  sown  in  a  somewhat  rich  loam  early 
in  the  spring.  In  the  fall  they  are  taken  up, 
tied  in  bundles,  and  kept  through  the  winter 
in  a  cool,  not  damp  cellar,  packed  in  dryish 
loam.  In  the  spring,  they  are  planted  out  in 
nursery  rows,  eighteen  inches  apart,  and 
generally  remain  out  the  winter  following. 

ACER,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Aceraceae. 
Polygamia,  Moncecia,  or  Dicecia,  Linn.  Calyx 
5-lobed,  sometimes  5-petalled.  Capsules  two, 
each  terminated  by  a  wing. 

1.  A.  CAMPESTRE,  Linnceus.  Leaves  cord- 
ate, small,  with  lobes.  Wings  of  the  fruit 
spreading  right  out.  Bark  often  corky. — 
English  maple.  Native  of  Britain. 

This  seldom  reaches  thirty  feet  high  in  its 
native  country.  Its  leaves  resemble  those 


58  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

of  the  gooseberry.  It  is  valuable  in  Ameri- 
can gardening,  from  the  late  period  of  the 
season  to  which  it  retains  its  foliage.  It 
takes  a  sharp  frost  to  destroy  its  verdure. 
It  has  a  very  stiff  and  formal  habit  of  growth, 
yet  one  that  renders  it  very  appropriate  for 
planting  at  a  corner,  to  make  a  reason  ap- 
pear for  a  bend  in  a  walk,  or  to  accompany 
any  formal  piece  of  work.  There  is  a  fine 
specimen  on  the  grounds  of  Caleb  Cope, 
Esq.,  and  several  in  other  places  near  Phila- 
delphia. 

It  is  readily  propagated  from  seeds  sown 
in  the  fall  as  they  ripen,  in  a  bed  of  sandy 
loam.  If  kept  till  the  spring,  they  seldom 
come  up  till  the  next  season.  When  a  year 
old,  they  may  be  planted  out  in  nursery  rows 
one  foot  apart.  In  two  years  afterwards, 
they  may  be  taken  up  and  planted  where 
they  are  to  remain,  or  in  rows  two  feet  apart 
till  wanted.  It  is  often  propagated  from 
layers.  •  A  plant  is  cut  down  to  within  a  few 
inches  of  the  ground.  The  numerous  shoots 
that  spring  up  may  be  gently  twisted  any 
time  after  the  fall  of  the  leaf  till  the  bursting 
of  the  bud,  and  a  little  soil  thrown  in  amongst 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  59 

the  shoots  till  the  twisted  parts  are  covered ; 
or  the  shoots  maybe  bent  down  to  the  ground, 
notched  and  slit  as  in  the  usual  mode  of  layer- 
ing, and  sunk  a  few  inches  in  the  ground. 
The  first  mode  saves  labor;  the  last,  after 
waterings. 

2.  A.  DASYCARPUM,  EhrJiart  Leaves  pal- 
mately  5-lobed,  deeply  sinuated  with  the 
sinui  acute.  Flowers  in  clusters,  before  the 
leaves.  Ovaries  downy.  Seeds  with  large 
wings. — Silver  maple.  Native  of  the  North- 
ern and  Middle  States. 

One  of  the  finest  of  our  native  trees.  It 
is  so  often  seen  in  a  half-starved,  stunted 
state,  as  a  street  tree,  that  one  might  be  in- 
credulous of  its  beauty  when  under  proper 
circumstances,  from  a  mere  description.  Un- 
less in  favorable  soil,  it  does  not  make  a  deep 
shade — but  in  that  case  few  can  excel  it,  and 
its  shade  is  so  mellowed  by  the  silvery  under 
surface  of  the  leaves,  as  to  make  quite  a 
pleasing  effect.  It  branches  out  pretty  near 
the  base,  and  spreads  to  a  great  extent  with- 
out much  ramification,  which  renders  it 
liable  to  be  broken  at  times  by  heavy  winds. 
The  finest  specimen  at  Bartram  is  seventy- 


60  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

seven  feet  high,  by  six  feet  eight  inches  in 
circumference. 

It  thrives  best  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  or  in  a 
gravelly  loam  contiguous  to  moisture,  as  on 
a  declivity  by  the  side  of  a  stream.  It  is 
propagated  by  seeds,  as  described  in  No.  1. 

3.  A.  MONTANUM,  Alton.    Leaves  cordate, 
3-5-lobed.     Lobes   acuminate,  coarsely    ser- 
rate.    Eacemes  simple,  pendulous,  sometimes 
nearly  erect.     Petals  linear. — Mountain  ma- 
ple.    Native  principally  of  Canada  and  the 
Alleghanies. 

This  tree  is  scarce  in  our  nurseries.  It  is 
valuable  to  the  landscape  gardener  for  the 
variety  of  its  red  colors  in  the  fall,  and  de- 
serves more  extensive  culture.  It  does  not 
grow  large  when  on  its  own  roots ;  but  bud- 
ded on  the  strong-growing  species,  makes  a 
fine  tree. 

4.  A.  NIGRUM,  Michaux.  Leaves  3-5-lobed. 
Broader,  and  less   bayed   and   cut  than  A. 
tSaccharinum,  slightly  downy  beneath.     Leaf- 
stalks  shorter    and    stouter.— Black    sugar 
maple.     Native  of  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States. 

This  tree,  in  cultivation,  so  much  resem- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  61 

bles  the  true  sugar-maple,  that  few  can  dis- 
tinguish them.  When  in  a  wild  state,  it  is 
generally  thought  to  present  a  very  distinct 
and  peculiar  appearance. 

In  cultivation  it  has  a  darker  hue  than  the 
other  kind,  and  may  be  readily  distinguished 
in  the  spring  by  its  coming  into  leaf  a  week 
or  ten  days  earlier.  The  finest  specimen  I 
have  seen  is  at  Bartram.  Though  it  is  quite 
young,  it  measures  fifty  feet  high  and  thirty 
inches  in  circumference.  It  is  propagated 
by  seeds,  as  No.  1. 

5.  A.  PLATANOIDES,  Linn&us.  Leaves 
milky,  broadly  cordate,  5-lobed,  coarsely 
toothed.  Fruit  divaricate.  Flowers  pendu- 
lous.— Norway  maple.  Native  of  the  North- 
ern parts  of  Europe^  jv 

A  very  ornamental  tree  in  any  situation. 
It  does  not  incline  to  branch  out  so  low  down 
as  some  of  the  maples,  while  it  has  a  more 
rugged  and  branching  habit  of  growth.  Its 
ample  broad  leaves  give  a  fine  shade,  which 
is  heightened  by  their  dark  green  color.  It 
is  quite  a  peculiar  tree,  combining  the  artistic- 
appearance  of  some  trees  with  the  rusticity 
of  others.  There  are  many  situations  in  a 
6 


62  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

landscape  where  it  would  be  singularly  effect- 
ive. It  is  very  hardy,  and  will  thrive  in 
any  soil  or  situation.  The  finest  specimen 
at  Bartram  is  growing  on  an  elevated  situa- 
tion, in  a  gravelly  soil  on  a  rocky  substratum, 
and  is  sixty  feet  in  height,  and  three  feet  two 
inches  in  circumference.  In  the  fine  arbore- 
tum of  Mr.  G.  W.  Pierce,  near  West  Chester, 
there  is  a  fine  specimen  near  eight  feet  in 
circumference.  There  are  also  some  fine 
specimens  on  the  grounds  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  on  Mulberry  between  Third  and 
Fourth  streets,  Philadelphia. 

For  propagation  from  seed,  see  No.  1. 

6.  A.  PSEUDO-PLATANUS,  Linnceus.  Leaves 
cordate  at  the  base,  5-lobed,  unequally  den- 
tate. Fruit  with  long,  large  wings. — Syca- 
more. 

This  has  a  more  formal  appearance  than 
the  last,  being  more  regularly  round-headed. 
It  is  readily  distinguished  by  its  habit,  which 
is  stiff  and  little  inclined  to  branch.  The 
lobes  of  the  leaves  are  more  pointed,  and 
there  is  a  wide  difference  in  the  fruit.  It  is 
a  fine  object  grown  as  a  single  specimen,  at- 
taining sixty  or  seventy  feet  high.  It  is  a 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  63 

rapid  grower,  thriving  in  a  deep  rich  loam  ; 
but  growing  pretty  well  in  any  situation,  or 
under  any  circumstances.  The  young  speci- 
men at  Bartram  is  about  twenty-five  feet 
high  and  forty  inches  in  circumference. 

It  may  be  propagated  like  No.  1. 

7.  A.  RUBRUM,  Linnceus.  Leaves  3,  nearly 
5-lobed,  slightly  cordate  at  the  base.  Ovaries 
smooth.  Seed-vessels  and  stalks  red  or 
brown. — Eed  maple. — Swamp  maple.  Na- 
tive of  most  of  the  States  and  Canada. 

This  tree,  though  it  is  naturally  found  in 
swamps  and  morasses,  will  thrive  in  any  soil 
or  situation.  It  is  fortunate  that  it  does  so, 
as  it  is  indispensable  to  the  landscape  gardener. 
Its  bright  scarlet  fruit  and  flowers  are  amongst 
the  earliest  harbingers  of  spring;  while  its 
leaves,  of  every  shade  of  red  in  the  fall,  add 
materially  to  the  interest  of  the  landscape. 
It  has  a  very  formal,  regular  head,  though 
sometimes  a  specimen  may  be  found  with  a 
somewhat  rugged  appearance.  It  varies  very 
much  from  seed. 

In  a  curved  avenue  on  the  grounds  at 
Springbrook,  in  which  there  are  many  of 
them,  there  are  almost  as  many  forms  either 


64  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  habit,  hue,  foliage,  or  fruit,  as  specimens. 
One  may  prove  a  valuable  variety.  The 
fruit  is  almost  green,  and  comparatively  in- 
significant ;  while  the  foliage  appears  a  week 
earlier  than  any  of  the  others.  The  best 
Bartram  specimen  is  forty-seven  feet  high 
and  four  feet  in  circumference.  In  favorable 
situations  it  doubles  this. 

It  is  propagated  from  seed,  like  No.  1. 

8.  A.  SACCHARINUM,  Linnceus.  Leaves 
palmate,  3,  5-parted,  smooth;  lobes  sharp, 
with  coarse  teeth.  Flowers  in  drooping 
corymbs,  on  hairy  or  downy  stalks. — Sugar- 
maple.  Canada  to  Pennsylvania.  VU#-<  ^ 

This  tree  has  none  of  the  graceful  airiness 
of  the  silver-maple,  or  the  rusticity  of  branches 
as  the  Norway;  but  excels  them  both  in  no- 
bility of  appearance.  It  has  a  stiff,  regularly 
round  head,  generally  in  over  proportion  to 
the  size  of  its  trunk.  It  is  much  admired  on 
account  of  the  rich  golden-yellow  hue,  often 
tinged  with  red,  with  which  it  is  clothed  in 
the  fall.  The  finest  specimen  at  Bartram  is 
eighty-two  feet  high  and  five  feet  five  inches 
in  circumference. 

Like  most  of  the  maples  it  is  of  easy  culti- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  65 

vation,  doing  well  in  any  situation,  except 
in  the  dry  and  confined  atmosphere  of  a 
densely  built  city;  and  in  most  soils;  but 
preferring  a  loose  loam  or  one  on  a  sub- 
stratum of  clay. 

It  is  propagated  as  No.  1. , 

9.  A.  STRIATUM,  Lambert.  Leaves  3-lobed, 
rough,  slightly  cordate  at  the  base,  sharply 
and  finely  serrate ;  lobes  acute. — Striped 
barked  maple. — Moosewood.  From  Canada 
to  Carolina. 

Few  trees  show  so  much  the  effect  of  dif- 
ferent circumstances  as  this.  In  England, 
when  grafted  on  the  Sycamore,  it  makes  a 
tree  three  or  four  times  larger  than  when  in 
its  native  places  of  growth.  At  Bartram 
there  is  a  young  specimen  on  its  own  roots, 
growing  in  a  moist  shady  situation  upon  a 
substratum  of  mica  which  is  about  thirty  feet 
high  and  sixteen  inches  in  circumference ; 
while  in  another  part  of  the  grounds  there  is 
another  specimen  growing  in  dry  gravel, 
under  the  shade  of  a  Norway  spruce,  which, 
though  planted  many  years,  has  never  arisen 
above  the  character  of  a  shrub,  perfecting  it's 
seeds  every  year.  In  the  latter  state,  I  pre- 


66  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

sume  it  is  the  A.  Pennsylvanicum,  the  moose- 
wood  of  Linnaeus.  ;,*'/**; 

It  may  be  raised  from  seeds,  cuttings,  or 
grafts. 

J3SCULUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Sapin- 
dacae.  Heptandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
campanulate,  5-lobed.  Petals  unequal.  Sta- 
mens usually  curved  inwardly.  Fruit  bristly 
and  muricated. 

1.  A.  HIPPOCASTANUM,  Linnceus.  Leaflets 
7,  obovately  wedge-shaped,  toothed. — British 
horsechestnut. 

This  tree,  originally  confined  to  Northern 
Asia  (its  native  country),  is  now  cultivated 
all  over  the  civilized  globe.  It  is  one  of  the 
finest  shade  trees,  and  possesses  in  its  hand- 
some flowers  appearing  in  May,  a  recom- 
mendation many  others  do  not.  It  does  not 
grow  very  lofty,  being  more  inclined  to 
spread  and  become  round-headed,  and  on 
that  account  is  one  of  the  very  best  to  stand 
out  by  itself  as  a  specimen  tree  on  a  lawn  or 
in  a  park.  In  deep  rich  loam  it  does  well, 
attaining  a  great  bulk  in  a  short  time,  but 
in  a  dry  or  gravelly  one,  though  it  will  grow 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  67 

pretty  well,  it  is  short  lived,  and  seldom 
healthy.  The  old  specimens  planted  by 
John  Bartram,  not  being  on  congenial  soil, 
are  not  remarkable;  the  largest  being  but 
fifty  feet  high  and  seven  feet  five  inches  in 
circumference. 

They  are  readily  reproduced  from  seed. 
When  collected,  lay  them  out  of  doors  on 
the  ground  in  a  shady  place,  and  slightly 
cover  them  with  leaves.  Guard  them  from 
vermin.  Early  in  spring  select  a  rich  loamy 
spot,  in  which  draw  drills,  and  sow  the  nuts 
four  inches  apart,  but  just  covering  them 
with  the  soil.  They  will  soon  appear.  In 
the  fall  following,  transplant,  to  eighteen 
inches  or  two  feet  apart,  to  where  they  can 
remain  till  wanted.  They  also  succeed  well 
budded  in  July  on  the  buckeye. 

2.  M.  OHIENSIS,  Michaux.  Leaves  qui- 
nate,  unequally  toothed;  leaflets  nearly  ses- 
sile. Flowers  nearly  yellow.  —  American 
horsechestnut,  sometimes  Ohio  buckeye. 

This  species  half  unites  the  buckeye  with 
the  true  horsechestnut,  having  the  habits 
and  appearance  of  the  one,  with  the  prickly 
fruit,  the  chief  characteristics  of  the  other. 


68  AMERICAN"  HANDBOOK 

It  is  a  small  tree,  attaining  about  forty 
feet,  and  thrives  in  a  similar  soil,  and  is  pro- 
pagated in  the  same  manner  as  No.  1.  The 
Bartram  specimen  is  young,  about  thirty 
feet  high,  and  two  feet  in  circumference.  A 
specimen  in  the  arboretum  of  GL  W.  Pierce 
appears  to  be  about  fifty  feet  high,  and  is 
two  feet  four  inches  in  circumference. 

3.  M.  RUBicuNDA,Z>e  Candolle.  Leaflets  5-7, 
unequally  serrate.  Petals  4,  with  the  claws 
of  the  petals  shorter  than  the  calyx.  Sta- 
mens, eight. — Eed  horsechestnut. 

Though  a  native  species,  it  has  not  been 
long  in  cultivation.  It  is  undoubtedly  the 
handsomest.  The  flower-spikes  are  very 
large,  of  a  deep  brick  red,  and  do  not  appear 
till  June.  It  has  a  vigorous  habit  when 
grafted  on  the  yellow  buckeye,  which  is  its 
best  stock.  The  Bartram  specimen — I  be- 
lieve the  finest  in  the  country — is  thirty  feet 
high,  and  twenty-four  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence, grafted  on  the  British  species. 

The  same  treatment  as  Nos.  1  and  2  suits 
it.  The  seedlings  occasionally  produce  car- 
nate-colored  flowers. 

«*^:WM  "•  '  <>-:&w&''&d&.&;^: 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  69 

AILANTUS,  Desfontaines. — Nat.  Ord.  Xan- 
thoxylaceae.  Polygamia,  Monoecia,  Linn.  Ca- 
lyx 5 -cleft.  Petals  five.  Stamens  ten,  un- 
equal. Ovary  mostly  of  five  carpels,  mem- 
branous, 1 -celled,  1 -seeded. 

A.  GLANDULOSA,  Desfontaines.  Leaves  pin- 
nate; leaflets  toothed  at  the  base,  with  a 
gland  at  the  base  of  each  tooth. — Ailanthus : 
Tree  of  heaven.  Native  of  China.  Flowers 
in  June  or  July. 

Few  trees  have  met  with  such  a  sad  re- 
verse of  fortune  as  this.  Its  growth  is  very 
rapid,  and  as  rapidly  it  grew  in  popular  esti- 
mation on  its  first  introduction.  Latterly, 
the  tide  has  set  against  it,  and  caused  many 
to  be  torn  up  by  the  roots,  and  cast  away. 
The  late  Mr.  Downing's  last  and  best  essay 
was  directed  against  it,  and  it  will  probably 
never  recover  from  that  stroke  of  his  power- 
fully-directed pen.  There  are  many  who 
will  agree  with  his  pleasing  arguments,  and 
discard  it  on  account  of  its  bad  propensity  to 
throw  up  suckers,  an  argument  that  can  be 
used  against  many  other  of  our  finest  trees; 
and  for  its  abominable  stench  for  the  week 
that  it  is  in  flower.  These  are  its  disadvan- 


70  AMERICAN"  HANDBOOK 

tages.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  of  very  rapid 
growth,  and,  in  appearance,  often  rivals  the 
beauty  of  our  own  black  walnut.  In  some 
situations,  it  does  not  sucker  so  freely  as  in 
others,  and  occasionally  not  at  all.  Severe 
pruning,  or  any  external  injury  either  to  the 
roots  or  branches,  seems  to  have  considerable 
influence  in  the  production  of  suckers.  Hav- 
ing thus  given  both  its  merits  and  demerits, 
I  leave  it  to  its  fate.  Though  I  cannot  re- 
commend it  as  a  lawn  tree,  yet  in  cities, 
where  it  is  so  difficult  to  keep  trees  healthy, 
its  suckering  propensities  cannot  injure  any- 
thing in  the  street,  and  there  its  value,  by 
its  freedom  from  insects,  may  atone  for  its 
stench  while  in  flower.  The  Bartram  speci- 
men is  sixty  feet  high  and  seven  feet  in 
circumference.  •  >^ 

AMELANCHIER,  Medikus.  Nat.  Ord.  Poma- 
eese.  Icosandria,  Pentagynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
5-cleft.  Petals  5,  oblong  lanceolate.  Styles 
more  or  less  united.  Fruit,  a  small  apple, 
with  3-5  gristly  cells. 

A.  BOTRYAPIUM,  De  Candolle.  Leaves  ovate 
oblong,  slightly  cordate  at  the  base,  acumi- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  71 

nate.  Flowers  in  loose  racemes ;  petals  linear 
lanceolate. — June  berry,  shad-flower.  Flow- 
ers in  April.  Native  of  most  parts  of  the 
United  States. 

A  pretty  tree,  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high. 
It  grows  very  slenderly,  and  with  few  shoots, 
unless  in  a  very  rich  loam.  The  leaves  have 
mostly  a  white  silky  appearance,  and  the 
flowers  and  succeeding  berries  are  very  or- 
namental. I  have  seen  a  specimen  thirty 
feet  high,  and  three  feet  in  circumference, 
but  it  is  probably  turned  into  "post  and 
rails"  by  this  time. 

They  may  be  propagated  by  seeds,  but  in 
English  nurseries  are  generally  grafted  on 
the  hawthorn,  and  sometimes  on  the  pear  and 
quince.  Seeds  produce  the  finest  trees.  The 
latter  modes  produce  plants  quickest. 

*'fr&-*'9-        '  (    •  ''J   ; •'&$        ' 

AMYGBALUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Dru- 
paceae.  Icosandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
5-cleft,  petals  5.  Fruit  a  drupe.  Seed  an 
ovate  nut  with  reticulate  furrows. 

A.  PERSICA,  Linnceus.  Variety  pendula, 
with  the  branches  drooping,  is  a  very  pretty 
ornamental  peach,  when  budded  as  tall  as  it 


72  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

can  be  got,  on  a  tree  of  the  common  kind, 
suffered  to  grow  up  six  or  eight  feet  for  the 
purpose. 

ANDROMEDA,  Lmnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Eri- 
caceae. Decandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
5-parted.  Corolla  monopetalous,  globose, 
with  a  contracted  5-parted  mouth.  The  seg- 
ments reflexed. 

A.  ARBOREA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  oblong 
oval,  tapering  to  a  point,  thickly  toothed. 
Flowers  in  terminal  panicles.  Corolla  slightly 
downy. — Sorrel-tree.  Native  of  the  South- 
ern States.  Flowers  in  August. 

A  very  handsome  tree  in  favorable  locali- 
ties ;  in  others  it  dwindles  down  to  a  mere 
shrub.  It  is  fond  of  a  gravelly,  light  loam, 
where  the  roots  can  be  in  proximity  to  a 
spring.  Covered  with  its  white  blossoms  it 
is  very  pretty,  and  adds  to  the  gracefulness 
its  light  twiggy  habit  always  presents.  The 
prettiest  specimen  at  Bartram  is  sixty  feet 
high,  and  four  feet  in  circumference. 

It  is  raised  from  seed  obtained  from  their 
native  places  of  growth.  These  must  be 
sown  in  fine  sandy  peat,  sheltered  from  heavy 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  73 

rains,  yet  kept  regularly  moist.  When  they 
are  about  a  foot  high,  plant  one  foot  apart  in 
rows,  in  sandy  loam,  where  they  may  remain' 
till  wanted. 

ANONA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Anonaceae. 
Polyandria,  Polygynia,  Linn.  Calyx  com- 
posed of  three  sepals  connected  at  the  base. 
Petals  6,  innermost  smallest.  Fruit,  many- 
seeded,  pulpy. 

A.  GLABRA,  Linnaeus.  Leaves  ovate  ellip- 
tic, wedge-shaped,  smooth.  The  three  outer 
petals  nearly  round.  Fruit  large,  thick,  and 
fleshy.— Papaw.  Native  of  the  Middle  and 
Western  States.  Flowers  in  July. 

The  stem  is  very  straight,  of  a  peculiar 
gray  color ;  and  the  leaves  have  a  very  dark 
and  glossy-green  appearance.  To  be  grown 
to  perfection,  it  should  be  treated  as  a  single 
specimen,  in  rich  soil,  in  an  open  situation. 
Then  the  tree  has  a  very  pretty  conical  ap- 
pearance. In  stony  soil  it  is  liable  to  throw 
up  suckers ;  but  these  are  easily  kept  down. 
In  Philadelphia,  it  bears  fruit  freely  in  the 
autumn.  The  largest  specimen  at  Bartram 
is  thirty  feet  high  and  two  feet  eight  inches 
7 


74  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  circumference.  There  are  some  very 
healthy  luxurious  specimens  in  Marshall's 
Garden,  in  Chester  County,  Pa. 

I  have  been  unable  to  determine  whether 
the  A.  triloba,  Michaux,  is  distinct.  My  friend, 
Col.  Carr,  late  proprietor  of  the  Bartram  Bo- 
tanic Garden,  considers  them  so.  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  them  identical  from  the  de- 
scriptions, and  have  adopted  the  original 
name,  as  the  plant  I  describe  is  so  known 
in  the  nurseri^. 

It  is  readily  propagated  from  suckers  or 
seeds. 

AKALIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Orel.  Araliaceaa. 
Pentandria,  Pentagynia,  Linn.  Calyx  very 
small,  mostly  5-toothed.  Petals  5,  expanded 
or  reflexed  at  the  apex.  Styles  very  short, 
permanent,  spreading.  Fruit,  a  berry ;  usually 
5-celled,  and  striated. 

A.  SPINOSA,  Linnceus.  Stem  and  leaves 
prickly.  Panicles  much  branched. — Ange- 
lica tree.  Club  of  Hercules. 

Thinly  scattered  through  the  Middle, 
Southern,  and  Western  States.  When  full 
grown,  and  covered  in  the  fall  and  winter 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  75 

with  its  purple  berries,  it  is  a  pretty,  though 
small  tree.  The  coarse,  spiny  branches  also 
give  it  a  picturesque  appearance. 

It  has  the  advantage  of  thriving  in  dry, 
barren,  stony  places,  where  few  other  things 
will  grow.  When  once  established,  it  must 
always  remain;  every  attempt  to  destroy  it 
by  digging  it  up,  is  retaliated  by  a  regiment 
of  suckers.  Let  it  alone,  and  it  is  not  so 
troublesome.  The  finest  Bartram  specimen 
is  fifteen  feet  high,  and  twelve  inches  in  cir- 
cumference. 

It  is  easily  propagated  from  cuttings  of  the 
roots,  or  by  seeds. 

ARAUCARIA,  Ruiz  and  Pavon. — Nat.  Ord. 
PinaceaD.  Dioecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male 
flower.  Pollen  contained  in  ten  to  twenty 
cases,  pendant  from  the  apex  of  the  scale. 
Female.  Ovule  solitary,  joined  to  the  carpel 
or  scale.  Leaves  imbricate. 

A.  IMBRICATA,  Ruiz  and  Pavon.  Leaves 
in  eights,  ovate  lanceolate,  with  small  perma- 
,nent  spiny  points,  stiff,  and  attached  to  the 
tree  for  several  years.  Cones  roundish  ovate, 
about  eight  inches  long,  and  seven  broad. 


76  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Seed  about  two  and  one-fourth  inches  long, 
and  one  broad. — Chili  pine. 

This  picturesque  evergreen  is  perfectly 
hardy  when  grown  in  a  light  loam,  and  pro- 
tected from  sun  in  the  winter  season.  It 
sometimes  loses  its  side  branches  when 
young,  in  severe  winters.  In  cold  stiff  soil, 
especially  if  exposed  to  the  sun  in  winter,  it 
generally  fails. 

It  is  propagated  from  seeds  obtained  from 
its  native  country.  These  should  be  sown 
in  pans  or  boxes  of  light  loamy  soil,  with 
the  narrow  ends  of  the  seeds  downwards,  as 
soon  as  received.  Put  them  in  a  frame 
where  they  can  be  kept  evenly  moist,  with- 
out liability  to  saturation  from  rain.  An 
abundance  of  air  is  essential.  Avoid  much 
heat,  or  an  abundance  of  vegetable  matter  in 
the  soil.  When  they  are  a  few  inches  high, 
pot  singly  into  four-inch  pots;  or,  if  they  can 
be  protected,  plant  out  in  a  bed  four  or  six 
inches  apart. 

BETULA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Betulacea3. 
Monoecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Aments  of  the 
sterile  flowers  long  and  cylindrical;  scales 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  77 

ternate,  the  middle  ones  bearing  the  stamens. 
Pistillate  aments  ovate  oblong ;  scales  trifid, 
8 -flowered.  Seeds  (or  fruit)  with  a  mem- 
branous edge. 

1.  BETULA  ALBA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
acuminate,  serrate.  Stem  covered  with  white 
bark. — White  birch.  Native  of  the  North  of 
Europe. 

The  bark  gives  this  a  peculiar  character ; 
and  the  slender  drooping  branchlets,  and 
elegant  shining  green  foliage,  combine  to 
render  it  one  of  the  handsomest  of  trees. 

There  is  but  one  specimen  referred  to  this 
species  at  Bartram,  but  it  so  closely  resembles 
B.populifolia  as  to  require  a  nice  examina- 
tion to  determine  it.* 

It  will  thrive  in  the  most  barren  soils  where 
little  else  will  grow,  the  roots  extending  just 
beneath  the  surface,  and  probably  drawing 
much  of  their  sustenance  from  the  atmo- 
sphere. This  circumstance  renders  them 
very  easy  to  transplant,  and  where  any  kind 

*  The  nomenclature  of  the  Birches  is  in  great  con- 
fusion among  practical  men.  They  are  worth  a  closer 
study. 

7* 


78  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

can  be  got  from  the  woods  while  young,  it  is 
preferable  to  raising  them  from  seeds.  They 
may  be  raised  from  seeds  sown  either  in  fall 
or  spring,  on  a  bed  of  light  sandy  loam.  If 
slightly  covered  with  decayed  leaves,  they 
will  more  easily  germinate.  Large  trees  are 
bad  to  transplant,  on  account  of  their  main 
roots  extending  so  far ;  but  if  transplanted 
several  times  while  young,  there  are  few 
easier. 

2.  B.  LENTA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  cordate, 
ovate,  -acuminate,  sharply  serrate ;  the  nerves 
beneath  hairy,  as  well  as  the  leafstalks. — 
Sweet  black  birch.  Native  of  the  Northern 
States. 

One  of  the  handsomest  of  the  birches.  It 
is  one  of  the  earliest  to  put  out  its  foliage  to 
welcome  the  spring.  It  is  generally  conically 
round-headed  when  old,  and  frequently  has 
its  branches  as  pendulous  as  a  weeping  willow. 
It  will  grow  sixty  or  seventy  feet  high  under 
very  favorable  circumstances.  The  Bartram 
specimen  is  fifty  feet  high,  three  feet  ten  in- . 
ches  in  circumference. 

Propagated  and  cultivated  as  No.  1. 

8.  B.  NIGRA,   Linnceus.    Leaves   rhombic 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  79 

ovate,  sharp-pointed.  Fertile  catkins  oblong, 
with  hairy  scales. — Black  birch.  Sometimes 
red  birch. 

There  are  several  fine  specimens  at  Bar- 
tram,  which  have  been  styled  "paper  birches," 
on  account,  as  I  presume,  of  their  shaggy 
bark.  Others,  correcting  the  error,  have 
styled  them  the  B.  rubra  of  Michaux,  neither 
of  which  I  believe  are  in  the  collection ;  nor 
can  I  find  them  really  in  cultivation  in  the 
vicinity.*  Our  kind  is  a  very  ornamental, 
round-headed,  pendulous,  branching  tree,  and 
thrives  best  in  a  rather  moist  situation.  Its 
white  and  yellow  shaggy  bark  give  it  a  pecu- 
liar character,  which  interests  even  in  winter. 

Propagated  and  cultivated  as  No.  1. 

4.  B.  POPULIFOLIA,  Alton.  Leaves  del- 
toid, much  acuminated,  unequally  serrate. 
Scale  of  the  fertile  catkin,  with  the  middle 
lobe  acute,  and  smaller  than  the  lateral  ones. 
— American  white  birch.  Poplar  birch. 

The  bark  of  this  species  is  not  of  so  fine 
a  silvery  color  as  the  European  species.  It 

*  The  B.  rubra,  MX.  may  possibly  prove  to  be  the  same 
as  B.  nigra,  L. 


80  AMEBICAN  HANDBOOK 

is  a  stronger,  and  makes  the  finest  tree.  It 
thrives  best  in  a  cool  but  not  wet  loam ;  but 
will  grow  in  any  dry  situation.  The  best 
Bartram  specimen  is  forty -one  feet  high  by 
three  feet  in  circumference. 

There  is  a  much  finer  specimen  in  Mr. 
Pierce's  arboretum. 

BKOUSSONETIA,  Ventenat.—Nat.  Ord.  Mo- 
raceao.  Dioecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Male  flow- 
ers in  pendulous  cylindrical  catkins.  Fe- 
male, peduncled,  in  upright  globular  heads. 
Fruit,  club-shaped. 

B.  PAPYRIFERA,  Ventenat.  Leaves  large, 
downy;  some  entire,  others  deeply  lobed. — 
Paper-mulberry.  Native  of  Japan. 

This  tree  was  formerly  in  much  request 
for  shade.  Its  wide-spreading  branches  adapt 
it  well  for  that  purpose.  In  other  respects, 
it  possesses  no  beauty,  and  as  it  throws  out 
many  troublesome  suckers,  it  is  not  now 
much  sought  after.  It  is  very  apt  to  be 
killed  by  severe  winters.  It  grows  to  forty 
or  fifty  feet  high.  There  are  no  very  large 
specimens  at  Bartram,  the  original  trees 
having  been  rooted  out.  In  very  dry  situa- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  81 

tions,  where  few  things  will  grow,  and  some- 
thing is  preferred  to  nothing,  the  paper-mul- 
berry may  be  applied  to  advantage.  It  also 
thrives  on  the  sea-shore,  as  may  be  seen  at 
Cape  May,  where  it  stands  solitary  and  alone 
as  an  ornamental  tree. 

BUMELIA,  Swartz. — Nat.  Ord.  Sapotaceae. 
Pentandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5- 
parted.  Corolla,  with  a  short  tube,  5-parted, 
with  two  scales  at  the  base  of  each  segment. 
Fruit,  an  ovate,  1 -seeded  drupe. 

B.  LYCIOIDES,  Willdenoiv.  Leaves  lanceo- 
late, slightly  wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  and 
shining.  Flowers  in  axillary  panicles. — Bu- 
melia.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 

A  small,  thorny  tree,  of  rugged  growth, 
and,  in  itself,  of  little  beauty.  It  possesses 
an  interest  in  the  fact  of  its  being  nearly 
evergreen  in  this  vicinity,  and  is  covered 
with  small  purple  berries  in  the  fall.  It  will 
grow  pretty  well  in  the  deepest  shade  as  well 
as  in  open  situations,  and  prefers  a  rich, 
loamy  soil.  It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds, 
or  more  easily  by  layers.  A  specimen  at 


82  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Bartram  is  about  thirty  feet  high,  and  nine 
inches  in  diameter. 

Buxus,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Euphorbia- 
cese.  Monoecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Calyx  of 
the  male  flower  3-leaved.  Petals  2.  Fe- 
male calyx  4-leaved,  with  three  petals  and 
three  styles.  Capsules  with  three  beaks. 
Cells  three. 

B.  SEMPERVIRENS,  Linn.    Box-tree. 

Those  who  have  seen  this  plant  only  as  an 
edging  to  garden-walks,  can  have  no  concep- 
tion of  the  beauty  of  the  tree  varieties.  The 
climate  of  Philadelphia  seems  well  suited  to 
them.  The  Bartram  specimens,  and  some  at 
Marshall's,  excel  anything  in  beauty  I  have 
seen  in  its  native  Box-hill  in  England. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  about  thirty- 
six  feet  high,  and  thirty  inches  in  circum- 
ference, perfectly  symmetrical,  and  a  pair  of 
them  (the  golden-striped  variety)  equally 
uniform.  The  common  green  thrives  equally 
well,  growing  in  a  gravelly  dry  soil,  under 
the  drip  of  trees. 

It  is  usually  propagated  by  seeds,  layers, 
or  cuttings.  The  former  may  be  sown  as 


^^  OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  83 

soon  as  ripe,  in  a  cool,  somewhat  dry  and 
shaded  situation.  They  will  readily  germi- 
nate, and  may  stay  two  years  where  they  are 
sown,  then  planted  out  in  rows  to  stay  till 
they  are  wanted,  when  they  can  easily  be 
removed.  New  varieties  may  be  raised  in 
this  way,  the  box  being  very  apt  to  sport 
from  seed. 

In  the  nurseries,  they  are  usually  raised 
from  cuttings,  which  root  readily  when  put 
in  a  frame  of  sandy  soil  early  in  the  fall. 
The  box-tree  will  transplant  at  any  season, 
with  care.  I  have  been  most  successful  im- 
mediately after  the  breaking  up  of  frost. 
There  are  several  handsome  varieties  in  cul- 
tivation, the  broad  and  narrow-leaved,  gold- 
edged,  variegated,  silver,  yellow,  and  myrtle- 
leaved.  The  B.  Balearica,  or  Minorca  Box, 
is  not,  I  believe,  hardy  in  Philadelphia. 

CARPINUS,  Linn. — Nat.  Ord.  Corylaceas. 
Moncecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male  catkins, 
cylindrical;  scales  ovate,  acute,  ciliate  near 
the  base.  Stamens  twenty;  anthers  slightly 
bearded  at  the  top.  Female  catkins  oblong, 
scales  unequally  3-lobed,  1-flowered,  perma- 


84  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

nent,  enlarging,  and  becoming  leafy.  Nut 
ovate,  slightly  flattened. 

C.  AMERICANA,  Michaux.  Leaves  oblong 
ovate,  acuminate,  unequally  serrate. — Ameri- 
can hornbean,  water-beech.  Northern  and 
Middle  States. 

A  small  tree,  of  about  twenty-five  feet 
high.  Like  the  birches,  it  is  useful  for 
planting  in  barren  soil,  especially  if  on  a 
clay  bottom.  It  is  fond  of  being  near  to 
moisture,  as  on  the  margin  of  streams.  It 
is  a  very  handsome  small  twiggy  tree,  the 
leaves  changing  in  the  fall  to  various  shades 
of  crimson,  scarlet,  and  orange,  and  very 
often,  after  they  are  killed  by  the  frost,  are 
retained  on  the  plant  till  the  spring.  The 
best  Bartram  specimen  is  thirty -two  feet 
high,  and  twenty-six  inches  in  circumference. 

It  is  generally  raised  in  the  nurseries  by 
layers ;  seedlings  make  finer  plants,  but  are 
longer  in  coming  on.  The  seed  should  be 
sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  in  a  rather  moist  but 
light  soil,  and  transplanted  when  a  year  old. 
Unless  they  are  moved  a  time  or  two  when 
young,  they  are  difficult  of  removal  after- 
wards. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  85 

The  European  hornbean  nearly  resembles 
this.  The  leaves  are  more  perfectly  ovate, 
and  each  has  red  ovate  glands  at  its  base. 
There  are  several  varieties  <of  it ;  propagated 
by  budding  on  the  original,  as  well  as  by 
layers. 

CARYA,  Nuttal. — Nat.  Ord.  Juglandaceae. 
Moncecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male  catkins 
mostly  in  37s,  with  the  scales  3 -parted.  Sta- 
mens 3-8 ;  anthers  hairy.  Female  flowers  in 
clusters,  each  with  one  4-cleft  scale,  with 
out  any  style;  the  stigma  2-lobed,  and  each 
lobe  slightly  cleft.  Nut  somewhat  quadran- 
gular. 

1.  C.  ALBA,  Nuttal.  Leaflets  mostly  three, 
villous  beneath.  Fruit  depressed,  globose; 
nut  flattened.  Bark  often  peeling  off  in 
flakes.  Shellbark  hickory. 

This  fine  tree  will  not,  probably,  share  the 
fate  of  so  many  other  of  our  fine  native  trees. 
In  "clearing  lots,'7  a  "shellbark"  or-  two  is 
generally  preserved,  in  order  that  its  nuts  may 
assist  to  crack  away  the  tedium  of  a  winter's 
evening.  A  place  ought  to  be  assigned  it 
8 


86  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  all  new  plantations  of  any  extent.  Its 
branches  have,  in  general,  a  gnarled  and 
twisted  appearance,  which  in  winter  are  ex- 
ceeded in  picturesqueness  only  by  the  per- 
simmon, and,  in  some  cases,  by  the  sour-gum 
and  sassafras.  When  raised  from  infancy, 
without  being  over-crowded,  it  is  rather  flat- 
headed  and  spreading.  It  loves  a  sheltered 
situation,  and  thrives  best  in  a  rich,  rather 
moist  loam.  The  specimen  at  Bartram  is 
fifty  feet  high  and  three  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. 

It  is  raised  from  the  nuts  sown  as  soon  as 
ripe,  or  early  in  spring,  in  beds  of  rich  loam, 
in  drills.  They  should  be  transplanted  after 
a  season's  growth.  The  younger  they  can 
be  planted  where  they  are  to  remain  the 
better. 

2.  C.  AMARA,  Nuttal.  Leaflets  ovate,  smooth 
on  both  sides.  Fruit  nearly  round,  rather 
small;  shell  of  the  nut  very  thin ;  kernel  bit- 
ter.— Bitter-nut. 

With  the  exception  of  the  peccan,  this  is 
the  loftiest  looking  one  of  the  tribe.  Its 
branches  all  exhibit  a  desire  to  grow  up- 
wards, and  when  the  tree  arrives  at  maturity, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  87 

the  side-branches  are  frequently  the  highest 
parts  of  the  tree. 

It  thrives  best  on  dry,  rocky,  or  gravelly 
places.  In  such  situations  I  have  seen  it 
give  a  peculiarly  interesting  appearance  to 
the  landscape.  The  foliage  is  always  of  a 
pale  yellow  tint.  It  changes  to  a  fine  golden 
yellow  in  the  fall.  The  finest  Bartram  speci- 
men is  about  seventy-five  feet  high. 

For  cultivation,  &c.  see  No.  1. 

3.  C.  OLIV^FORMIS,  Nuttal  Leaflets  nume- 
rous, slightly  falcate.  Fruit,  oblong,  slightly 
squared.  Nut,  olive-shaped,  with  a  smooth, 
thin  shell,  often  marked  with  colored  lines. — 
Peccan  nut.  Illinois  hickory. 

Eesembles  the  bitter-nut  in  its  habits  and 
manner  of  growth.  In  a  passing  glance,  it  - 
might  be  taken  for  an  ash ;  both  its  trunk 
and  foliage  favoring  the  impression.  The 
finest  tree  I  have  seen  is  at  Bartram.  It  is 
ninety-one  feet  high  and  five  and  a  half  feet 
in  circumference.  It  rarely  perfects  its  fruit 
in  this  region,  but  a  young  specimen  at 
Bartram  often  does  so. 

It  thrives  well  in  similar  situations  to  the 
bitter-nut,  and  may  be  managed  in  the  same 
way. 


88  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

4.  C.  PORCINA,   Nuttal.     Leaflets    about 
seven.     Fruit  pear-shaped,  outer  shell  thin. 
Nut     smooth,     slightly    compressed,     often 
slightly  cordate,  hard  and  smooth. — Pig-nut. 
This  is  generally  a  much  smaller  tree  than 
the  others,  and  is  less  picturesque  than  the 
shellbark.     It  thrives  best  in  rather  moist 
situations,  and  may  be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

The  finest  Bartram  specimen  is  fifty  feet 
high  by  three  feet  in  circumference. 

5.  C.  TOMENTOSA,  Nuttal.     Leaves  mostly 
seven.     Young  leaflets,  petioles,  and  shoots 
downy.     Fruit  oval.     Nut  large,  somewhat 
6-angled,  thick  shelled. — Mocker  nut.    Hick- 
ory.   This  is  a  well-known  tree,  but  is  rapidly 
disappearing  with  the  forests.     I  might  note 
many  fine   specimens   in    the  vicinity,   but 
which,  possibly,  before   this   work  went  to 
press,  might  meet  the  woodman's  axe.*    A 
fine  specimen  exists  on  the  grounds  at  Spring- 

*  A  remarkable  specimen  exists  in  a  wood  belonging 
to  Miss  Ann  Bartram,  at  Kingsessing.  I  believe  it  never 
bears  fruit,  which  may  account  for  its  size.  One  hun- 
dred dollars  were  offered  for  it  as  a  "liberty-pole"  at  the 
election  of  Gen.  Jackson,  which  the  good  lady's  political 
principles  led  her  to  decline. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  89 

brook,  which  at  least  will  be  preserved  so 
long  as  its  present  proprietor  has  control 
over  it. 

CASTANEA,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Cory- 
laceae.  Monoecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male 
flowers  clustered  in  very  long  cylindrical 
catkins.  Female  flowers  generally  in  threes, 
within  a  prickly  covering.  . 

1.  C.  VESCA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  oblong  lan- 
ceolate, acuminate,  sinuate — serrate,  smooth 
and  green  on  both  sides :  nuts  usually  two — 
three  in  each  covering. — Chestnut-tree.  Na- 
tive of  Europe  and  America.  Flowers  in 
June. 

Nothing  can  be  a  prettier  object  in  the 
landscape  than  this  well-known  tree.  It  fre- 
quently outgrows  the  oak,  which  it  somewhat 
resembles  in  appearance.  The  foreign  varie- 
ties, Marroniers  of  the  French,  differ  in  little 
from  our  native  variety,  except  in  the  size 
of  their  nuts.  They  are  of  distinct  import- 
ance, however,  in  a  landscape,  on  account  of 
their  remaining  green  for  weeks  after  our 
kind  has  fallen  into  "the  sere  and  yellow  leaf." 
8* 


90  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

It  will  thrive  in  the  most  barren  soils,  es- 
pecially those  of  a  rocky  or  gravelly  nature 
— doing  equally  as  well  in  a  deep,  rich  loam, 
or  any  soil  but  a  wet  one.  It  is,  in  fact,  a 
tree  for  any  situation.  The  Bartram  speci- 
men is  eighty  feet  high,  and  seven  feet  nine 
inches  in  circumference ;  and  one  of  the 
marrone  variety,  thirty-five  feet  high  and 
three  feet  in  circumference. 

It  may  be  propagated  by  seed  sown  in 
drills  in  the  spring,  or  in  the  fall,  if  preserved 
from  vermin.  The  improved  varieties  are 
perpetuated  by  grafting. 

2.  C.  PUMILA,  Michaux.  Leaves  oblong 
lanceolate,  acute,  whitish  tomentose  beneath. 
— Chinquapin.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 
Flowers  in  June. 

In  its  wild  state,  this  is  but  a  shrub  of 
meagre  stature;  but  cultivated,  makes  a 
pretty,  round-headed,  miniature  chestnut-tree. 
A  specimen  at  Bartram  is  twenty-five  feet 
high  and  thirty-five  inches  in  circumference. 
There  is  a  very  pretty  specimen  in  Mr.  Pierce's 
arboretum,  twenty-eight  inches  in  circumfe- 
rence and  about  thirty -five  feet  high. 

In  its  native  localities,  it  seems  to  prefer 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  91 

moist  situations.     Both,  the  specimens  above 
alluded  to  are  in  rather  dry  soil. 
It  can  be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

CATALPA,  Scopoli. — Nat.  Ord.  Bignoniacae. 
Didynamia  Angiosperma,  Linn.  Calyx  2- 
parted.  Corolla  campanulate;  limb  une- 
qually toothed  ;  tube  swollen  out.  Stamens, 
two  sometimes  nearly  abortive.  Capsule 
long,  cylindrical. 

C.  BIGNONIOIDES,  Walter.  Leaves  cordate, 
acuminate,  entire,  petiolate.  Flowers  pani 
culate. — Catalpa.  Bean-tree. 

This  tree  sometimes  reaches  thirty-five  or 
forty  feet  high,  flowering  in  June,  and  is,  at 
that  time,  very  ornamental.  Yet  it  is  not  in 
much  demand.  Its  leaves  are  so  long  in 
making  their  appearance  in  spring,  as  often 
to  originate  the  idea  that  the  tree  has  suffered 
in  the  winter.  The  first  cold  nights,  too,  put 
an  end  to  their  verdure,  while  between  its 
"  beans,"  leaves,  and  fading  flowers,  it  keeps 
up  a  litter  throughout  the  year.  Its  head  is 
round  and  regular,  while  its  branches  are 
generally  curled  and  twisted.  Its  ornamental 
flowers  together,  will  always  insure  it  a  place 


92  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  a  collection.  The  best  Bartram  specimen 
is  about  forty  feet  high  and  four  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. 

The  catalpa  will  grow  in  any  soil,  but  pre- 
fers one  rather  rnoist.  It  may  be  propagated 
by  seeds  sown  early  in  spring,  in  a  light 
loamy  soil,  a  little  shaded.  Cover  them 
very  lightly.  They  will  soon  vegetate.  The 
sooner  they  are  planted  into  the  nursery 
rows  the  better.  They  frequently  die  down 
a  little  in  winter,  but  soon  lose  this  weakness. 
They  may  also  be  struck  from  cuttings  of  last 
year's  wood,  taken  off  early  in  the  spring, 
and  put  in  a  bed  of  sandy  loam.  Strong  plants 
can  be  raised  sooner  this  way  than  by  seeds. 

CEDRUS,  Barretter. — Nat.  Ord.  PinaceaB. 
Moncecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Differs  from 
Larix  in  being  evergreen,  and  in  the  carpels 
separating  from  the  axis. 

1.  C.  DEODARA,  Roxburgh.  Leaves  in 
bundles,  sharp,  somewhat  3-angled,  stiff,  of  a 
bluish-green,  covered  with  a  glaucous  bloom. 
Cones  four  to  five  inches  long,  three  to  four 
broad. — Deodar.  Native  of  Nepaul. 

This  is  said  to  grow  one  hundred  and  fifty 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  93 

feet  high ;  the  largest  in  this  vicinity  is  not 
over  six.  Its  light  gray  color  and  graceful 
pendulous  habit,  gives  it  a  peculiar  character 
which  makes  it  much  sought  after  by  orna- 
mental planters.  Most  of  the  plants  in  our 
nurseries  are  imported.  Such  are  more 
readily  killed  by  our  winters  than  plants 
raised  here.  The  severe  winter  of  1851-2 
killed  many  of  the  imported  trees  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia. 

I  have  seen  it  thrive  remarkably  well  in  a 
cool,  sandy  loam,  and  have  no  doubt  of  its 
proving  with  us  one  of  the  most  valuable 
ornamental  evergreens. 

2.  C.  LIBANI,  Barrelier.  Leaves  one  inch 
long,  nearly  cylindrical,  tapering  to  a  point, 
on  very  short  footstalks ;  growing  in  tufts. 
Cones  ovate,  three  to  four  inches  long. — Cedar 
of  Lebanon.  Native  of  Syria. 

Of  very  slow  growth  in  this  country.  This 
may  arise  from  imperfect  culture.  It  is  very 
ornamental  when  of  good  size.  The  branches, 
especially  as  they  grow  old,  assume  a  stiffly 
horizontal  direction,  and  when  the  tree  is  in 
favorable  circumstances,  sweep  the  ground. 
When  any  way  crowded,  they  soon  lose  their 


94  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

under  branches,  and  present  a  very  artificial 
looking  irregular  head.  It  thrives  best  in  a 
deep,  rich,  sandy  loam,  contiguous  to  moisture. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  early  in  the 
spring,  in  light,  sandy  loam,  about  half  an 
inch  deep.  They  will  appear  in  about  six 
weeks.  The  following  year  they  may  be 
planted  in  pots  separately,  or,  which  I  think 
preferable,  in  nursery  rows,  twelve  inches 
apart.  It  is  well  to  give  them  a  little  pro- 
tection against  frost  the  first  winter  or  so. 
Frequently,  they  are  potted  and  kept  in  cool 
frames  for  a  year  or  two ;  but,  unless  under 
very  skilful  hands,  they  are  liable  to  get 
stunted  and  be  of  little  use  afterwards. 

The  C.  africana,  Gordon,  from  Mount  Atlas, 
is  probably  but  a  variety  of  this  with  a 
lighter  hue.  Its  habit  and  appearance  are 
so  nearly  alike,  that  no  distinction  appears 
for  ornamental  uses — so  far  as  I  can  judge 
from  plants  but  a  few  feet  high. 

CELTIS,  Tournefort.  —  Nat.  Ord.  Ulmaceae. 
Polygamia,  Monoecia,  Linnceus.  Calyx  of  the 
staminate  flowers  5 -parted.  Stamens  six. 
Calyx  of  the  perfect  flowers  5-parted.  Stig- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  95 

ma  awl-shaped,  elongated,  spreading.  Styles 
short,  connate. — Fruit  drupaceous,  1 -seeded, 
round. 

1.  C.  CRASSIFOLIA,  Lamarck.  Leaves  ob- 
liquely cordate  ovate,  much  attenuated,  and 
acuminate,  mucronately  serrate,  very  sca- 
brous, and  of  large  size.  Flowers  appearing 
before  the  leaves.  Divisions  of  the  calyx 
spathulate,  nearly  entire. — Hackberry.  Na- 
tive of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States. 

This  fine  tree  is  very  little  known  in  our 
vicinity  ;  and,  where  it  exists,  is  taken  for 
the  next  species.  There  are  two  specimens 
(one  of  each),  side  by  side  in  the  garden  of 
Friend  Joshua  Hoopes,  of  West  Chester, 
where  the  difference  between  the  two  can  be 
seen  at  a  glance.  And  in  the  garden  of  Mar- 
shall, there  is  a  fine  specimen  seven  feet  in 
circumference,  and  probably  ninety  feet  high. 
Its  branches  spread,  and  the  whole  appear- 
ance is  very  much  that  of  an  elm;  with  per- 
haps a  darker  hue.* 

*  Mr.  G.  W.  Emerson,  in  his  "Trees  and  Shrubs  of 
Massachusetts,"  observes  that  this  tree  "has  gnarled, 
projecting  roots,  putting  out  nearly  three  feet  from  the 
surface  on  every  side." 


96  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

The  berries  should  be  sown  as  soon  as 
they  are  ripe.  If  not  sown  till  spring,  they 
seldom  come  up  till  the  year  following. 

2.  C.  OCCIDENTALS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ob- 
liquely ovate,  serrate,  acuminate.  Flowers 
mostly  solitary.  Divisions  of  the  calyx 
ciliate.  Fruit  brownish,  not  black,  as  de- 
scribed by  Michaux. — American  nettle-tree. 

"When  in ,  cultivation,  this  is  a  large  tree, 
rivalling  some  of  the  elms,  which  family  it 
more  resembles  than  even  the  last,  often  ex- 
hibiting the  corky  barked  appearance  of  some 
of  them.  It  is  not  quite  so  spreading  in  its 
habit. 

It  delights  in  a  moist,  rich  soil ;  and,  in- 
deed, will  become  a  large  tree  in  no  other. 
The  specimens  at  Bartram  being  on  gravelly 
soil,  and  consequently  short-lived,  are  now 
all  dead ;  but  young  trees  abound. 

It  is  propagated  as  No.  1. 

CERASUS,  Jussieu. — Nat.  Ord.  Drupace^e, 
Icosandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Drupe  glo- 
bose; nut  sub-globose;  not  covered  with  a 
bloom  as  in  the  plum. 

1.  C.  CHIC  ASA,  Seringe.   Branches  glabrous, 


,;  ^;_. 

OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  97 

becoming  rather  spiny.  Leaves  oblong  oval, 
sharp.  Flowers  on  very  short  peduncles, 
and  mostly  in  pairs.  Calyx  glabrous;  its 
lobes  very  short.  Fruit  globose,  small,  yel- 
low, or  sometimes  red. — Chicasaw  plum.  Na- 
tive of  the  Southern  States. 

A  small,  twiggy,  erectly-spreading  tree,  the 
beauty  of  which  principally  lies  in  its  lively 
shining  wood.  A  specimen  at  Bartram  is 
twenty-five  feet  high  and  thirty -four  inches, 
in  circumference. 

The  best  way  to  propagate  is  to  cut  a  tree 
down  to  a  few  inches  of  the  ground,  making 
it  thus  to  throw  out  an  abundance  of  shoots, 
In  the  fall  following,  run  a  knife  just  through 
the  bases  of  each,  vertically.  Then  fill  with 
soil  to  a  few  inches  over  the  slit.  In  the 
following  fall  they  will  be  well  rooted,  and 
may  be  taken  off  the  parent. 

2.  C.  MAHALEB,  Miller.  Leaves  somewhat 
heart-shaped,  toothed.  Flowers  in  racemes. 
Fruit  nearly  round,  black,  and  very  bitter. — 
Mahaleb  cherry.  Native  of  the  south  of 
Europe. 

The  deep  black  fruit  of  this  tree,  and  its. 
small  apricot-like  foliage,  render  it  a  veiy 
9 


$8  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

useful  tree  in  ornamental  gardening.  Its 
growth  is  generally  erect,  though  it  varies 
much  from  seed  in  this  respect.  A  very  fine 
specimen  at  Bartram,  remarkably  spreading 
and  round-headed,  is  thirty-five  feet  high 
and  thirty-six  inches  in  circumference.  It 
delights  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  and  may  be 
propagated  from  seeds  sown  early  in  spring, 
or  from  layers,  or  the  mode  given  for  No.  1. 

8.  C.  PADUS,  De  Candolle.  Leaves  ovate- 
lanceolate,  somewhat  thin,  sharp,  and  serru- 
late, with  the  teeth  rather  spreading.  Ra- 
cemes long  and  leafy.  Fruit  round. — English 
bird-cherry.  Flowers  in  April. 

A  low  flat-headed  tree,  seldom  growing 
over  thirty  feet  high,  but  valuable  to  us  for 
the  earliness  and  beauty  of  its  white  flowers. 
It  thrives  best  in  a  moist,  shady  situation ; 
may  be  propagated  as  the  preceding,  or  by 
budding  on  the  G.  serotina,  which  improves  its 
vigor.  A  small  specimen  at  Bartram,  in  a 
dry  situation,  is  twenty  feet  high. 

4.  C.  BEKOTINA,  De  Candolle.  Leaves  ob- 
long, acuminate,  serrate  dentate,  smooth; 
the  petiole  bearing  about  four  glands.  Flow- 
ers in  racemes;  petals  round.  Fruit  deep 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  99 

red,  or  purplish.  —  "Wild  cherry.     Flowers  in 


Very  ornamental,  and  indispensable  in 
every  collection.  It  is  usually  round-headed, 
and,  if  exposed,  throws  out  its  branches  to  a 
great  distance.  Its  leaves  are  of  a  fine,  dark, 
shining  green;  and  even  in  winter,  when 
shorn  of  these  beauties,  its  spotted  and 
speckled  branches  are  interesting.  Its  fruit 
is  very  attractive  to  birds,  thus  promoting 
the  pleasures  of  a  country-seat  in  a  twofold 
manner. 

A  fine  specimen  at  Bartram  is  seventy 
feet  high  and  five  feet  in  circumference. 

It  will  do  well  in  most  soils  or  situations, 
and  is  propagated  from  seeds  sown  in  the 
spring. 

5.  C.  SYLVESTRIS,  Seringe.  Branches  vi- 
gorous and  spreading.  Fruit-buds  oblong, 
acute.  Flowers  in  umbels.  Variety,  flore 
plena.  Flowers  double.  —  Double-flowering 
wood-cherry. 

*  I  am  indebted  to  my  friend,  Dr.  W.  Darlington,  for 
the  observation  that  the  kind  known  as  C.  Virginiana  L. 
is  really  this  species  ;  the  real  C.  Virginiana  L.  being  a 
low  shrub. 


100  AHEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

Deservedly  admired  for  its  pure,  white, 
large,  double  flowers,  appearing  in  May. 
Propagated  by  budding.  The  Bartram  spe- 
cimen is  twenty -five  feet  high,  and  thirty-six 
inches  in  circumference. 

CERCIS,  Linnaeus. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabacese.  Dia- 
delphia,  Decandria,  Linn.  Calyx  obtusely  5- 
lobed,  gibbous  at  the  base,  corolla  butterfly- 
shaped;  the  wings  larger  than  the  standard 
or  top  petal.  Legume  flat,  oblong,  many- 
seeded. 

1.  C.  CAISTADENSIS,  Linnaeus.  Leaves  cord- 
ate, nearly  round,  acute;  pubescent  in  the 
axils  of  the  nerves  beneath. — Eed  bud.  Ame- 
rican Judas-tree. 

Nothing  can  be  more  beautiful  in  April 
and  May,  than  a  large  round-headed  "  red- 
bud,"  twenty  or  thirty  feet  high,  covered 
with  its  beautiful  flowers  before  the  bursting 
of  a  single  leaf.  The  silvery  under-surface 
of  the  leaves  gives  the  tree  a  very  light  hue. 
I'have  seen  some  fine  specimens  of  this  in 
Mr.  Pierce's  fine  avenue.  The  best  Bartram 
specimen  is  thirty-five  feet  high  and  three 
feet  six  inches  in  circumference,  growing  in 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  101 

a  rocky,   shady   soil,  contiguous  to   moist- 
ure. 

It  is  readily  raised  from  seeds  sown  in  the 
fall,  or  early  in  spring,  in  a  cool,  shaded  loam. 
They  vegetate  better  if  the  seeds  are  sown 
with  the  pods,  these  being  merely  broken  to 
pieces.  They  are  considered  to  transplant 
most  easily  just  before  the  bursting  of  the 

buds. 

2.  C.  SILIQUASTRUM,  Linnceus.  Much  re- 
sembling the  other,  but  with  the  leaves  not 
so  large,  or  round,  and  are  entirely  smooth. 
The  flowers  are  less  brilliant,  and  the  whole 
tree  inferior  in  beauty.  —  European  Judas- 
tree.  Native  of  the  south  of  Europe. 
. 

CHIONANTHUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Olea- 
ceae.  Diandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  4- 
parted.  Corolla  4-5-cleft ;  lobes  very  long  and 
slender.  Fruit,  drupaceous.  Nut,  striated. 

C.  VIRGINICA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate,  lan- 
ceolate, smooth,  a  little  leathery.  Peduncles 
3-cleft,  3-flowered. — Fringe-tree,  flowering  in 
June.  Native  of  the  Southern  and  Middle 
States. 

Though  seldom  more  than   a  week  in 


102  AMEBICAN  HANDBOOK 

flower,  their  beauty,  or  rather  elegance, 
makes 'up  for  their  evanescence.  They  re- 
semble elaborately  cut  and  fringed  racemes 
of  white  paper.  In  the  fall,  its  clusters  of 
dark-purple,  olive-shaped  berries  add  much 
to  its  interest.  The  tree  itself  has  little 
beauty ;  its  glaucous  hue  is  frequently  mis- 
taken for  mildew.  It  thrives  well  in  a  cool, 
deep  loam,  and  may  be  propagated  by  seeds 
or  layers.  Seeds  should  be  sown  as  soon  as 
ripe,  in  a  cool,  shaded  situation.  If  not 
allowed  to  get  too  hot  or  dry,  they  will  vege- 
tate the  first  season. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  about 
twenty  feet  high  and  thirty  inches  in  cir- 
cumference. 

CORNUS,  Linnaeus. — Nat.  Ord,  \  Cornaceae. 
Tetrandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Petals  sessile, 
4,  valvate  in  opening.  Limb  of  the  calyx 
very  small,  4-toothed.  Berry  marked  by  the 
remains  of  the  calyx.  Nut  2-8-celled. 

1.  C.  ALBA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  broadly  ovate, 
villose  beneath.  Heads  of  flowers  very  flat. — 
White-berried  Dogwood.  Flowers  in  May. 
Native  of  Eussia  and  North  America. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  103 

There  are  some  slight  differences  between 
these  plants  in  different  localities,  but  I  be- 
lieve botanists  consider  them  specifically  the 
same.  It  is  a  law,  spreading  tree,  becoming 
in  fact  but  a  shrub  unless  pruned  up  to  a 
straight  stem  in  its  infancy.  Its  large  trusses 
of  white  flowers,  succeeded  by  white  berries, 
and  the  fine,  red  color  its  branches  turn  to 
in  winter,  render  this  not  the  least  ornament- 
al of  a  very  handsome  tribe  of  small  trees. 
It  is  rather  scarce  near  the  city,  but  is  in  the 
garden  of  Mr.  John  Evans,  at  Eadnor. 

It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds,  layers,  or 
grafts.  Seeds,  if  not  sown  as  soon  as  ripe, 
often  lie  two  years  in  the  ground ;  especially 
if  not  sown  in  moist  soil.  The  best  plan  of 
raising  them,  is  to  take  small  branches,  with 
several  shoots  on  them,  as  soon  as  possible 
after  the  frost  is  out  of  the  ground,  and  plant 
them  in  rows  in  a  rather  moist,  somewhat 
shaded  place,  leaving  only  the  tops  of  the 
small  shoots  out  of  the  soil.  It  is  better  not 
to  take  off  even  a  leaf.  In  the  following  fall 
most  of  them  will  have  roots,  when  they  may 
be  taken  up  and  separated  to  form  plants. 

2.   C.   ALTERNIFOLIA,    LinnoBus.      Leaves 


104  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

slightly  alternate,  oval,  heavy  underneath. 
Berries  dark  purple. — Alternate-leaved  dog- 
wood. Flowers  in  May.  Native  of  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States. 

This  will  often  grow  as  large  as  the  C. 
florida,  with  a  similar  spreading  head.  The 
flowers  are  of  a  yellowish- white  color,  and 
the  wood  remains  always  green.  It  thrives 
best*  in  moist  shady  situations,  and  may  be 
propagated  as  No.  1. 

3.  C.  FLOEIDA,  Linnceus.  Flowers  in  capi- 
tate clusters,  surrounded  by  four  large  petal- 
like  leaflets,  forming  an  involucre. — Flowery 
dogwood.  American  dogwood.  Native  of 
the  Northern  and  Middle  States. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  native 
flowering  small  trees,  the  flowers  appearing 
in  April,  and  presenting  a  brilliant  appear- 
ance. It  often  grows  thirty  feet  high  and 
one  foot  in  diameter  in  our  forests ;  but,  with 
them,  is  fast  disappearing.  It  will  thrive  in 
the  deepest  shade,  loves  moisture,  but  does 
not  do  well  in  a  dry  or  exposed  situation. 
The  flowers  are  succeeded  by  beautiful  red 
berries,  and  the  leaves  turn  reddish  in  the 
fall.  The  branches  grow  very  horizontal, 


J 


OF  OR^AMEKTAL  TREES.    ,,          105 

and  give  it  quite  an  interest  in  winter,  each 
small  twig  crowned  with  its  future  head  of 
flowers  in  embryo. 

Propagated  as  No.  1. 

The  finest  Bartram  specimen  is  thirty  feet 
high  and  two  feet  nine  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence. 

4.  C.  MAS,   Linnceus.      Flowers   in   heads, 
surrounded  by  a  four-petalled,  green,  leafy 
involucre,   appearing   before    the    leaves. — 
Cornelian  cherry.     Native  of  most  parts  of 
Europe. 

A  round-headed,  small,  shrubby  tree  of 
great  beauty,  whether  considered  with  regard 
to  its  early  bee-enticing  flowers  ;  its  regular, 
spreading,  twiggy  head ;  or  the  beautiful  large 
red  elliptical  fruit  with  which  it  is  covered 
in  the  fall.  It  grows  in  any  soil  or  situation, 
but  best  in  a  deep  rich  loam.  A  specimen 
at  Bartram  is  fifteen  feet  high  and  twelve 
inches  in  circumference. 

It  may  be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

Many  beautiful  varieties  might  be  raised 
from  seed.  One  with  yellow  fruit  is  said 
already  to  exist. 

5.  0.  SAKGUIKEA,  Lmnceus.    Leaves  ovate, 


106  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

J   v      >'  *  '  •"          •  X 

entire,  often  undulated.  Berries  black. — 
English  red  dogwood.  Native  of  Europe. 
Flowers  in  June. 

The  red  young  shoots  give  it  a  brilliant 
appearance;  and  the  dark  berries  form  a  fine 
contrast.  It  thrives  well  in  any  moist  soil. 
It  is  much  inclined  to  branch  out  to  form  a 
shrub ;  when  carefully  pruned  it  makes  a 
pretty  tree  of  about  fifteen  feet  high.  The 
best  specimens  about  are  in  the  garden  of 
John  Evans. 

CKAT^EGUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  PomaceaB. 
Icosandria,  Di-pentagynia,  Linn.  Calyx,  limb 
5-cleft.  Petals  5,  orbicular,  spreading;  styles 
1-5,  smooth.  Apple  or  fruit  mealy  or  fleshy, 
closed  by  the  teeth  of  the  calyx.  Seeds  bony. 

1.  C.  COEDATA,  Miller.  Leaves  cordate 
ovate,  gashed  and  cut,  smooth ;  petioles  and 
calyx  without  glands.  Styles  5. — "Washing- 
ton thorn.  Maple  hawthorn. 

All  the  tribe  are  highly  ornamental  small 
trees,  whether  considered  in  flower,  fruit,  or 
foliage.  The  fruit  of  this  is  smaller  than  in 
most  of  the  following — grows  about  twenty 
feet  high.  All  the  kinds  thrive  best  in  a 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  107 

deep  rich  loam.  May  be  propagated  from 
seeds,  layers,  or  by  budding  on  each  other. 
The  seeds  very  seldom  come  up  the  first 
year.  They  make  finer  trees  for  ornamental 
purposes  by  this  than  by  any  other  mode. 
For  fencing,  they  are  sometimes  raised  by 
cuttings  of  the  roots. 

2.  C.  COCCINEA,  Linnceus.    Leaves  cordate 
ovate,   with   sharply   cut    angles,   thin  and 
smooth,  on  long  glandular  petioles.     Styles 
mostly  5.     Fruit  large,  roundish,  bright  red. 
—  Scarlet-fruited    thorn.      American    haw- 
thorn. 

A  very  desirable  kind,  on  account  of  its 
fine  foliage  and  large  fruit. 

3.  C.  CRUS-GALLI,  Linnceus.    Leaves  nearly 
sessile,  shining,  leathery,  ovate  wedge-shaped, 
serrate.    Segments  of  the  smooth  calyx  lance- 
olate.    Flowers    mostly   two -sty  led. — Cock- 
spur  hawthorn.    Flowers  in  May.    Native  of 
North  America. 

The  enormous  spines,  frequently  three  or 
four  inches  long,  give  this  tree  its  chief  pecu- 
liarity. The  branches  spread  more  horizon- 
tally than  in  some  of  the  others,  and  are 
generally  of  a  shining,  greenish  red. 


108  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

4.  C.    FLAY  A,    Aiton.      Leaves    obovate. 
Wedge-shaped,   angular,  smooth   and  shin- 
ing.    Petioles,  stipules,  and  the  segments  of 
the   calyx   glandular.     Berries  pear-shaped, 
yellowish,  4-seeded,  branches  thorny.    Thorns 
often  with  small  leaves   on   them. — Yellow- 
fruited    hawthorn.     Pear-fruited    hawthorn. 
Native  of  the  Northern  States.     Flowers  in 
May. 

A  strong-growing,  very  desirable  species ; 
but  as  yet  scarce  in  cultivation.  It  is  grow- 
ing in  the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

5.  C.    OXYACANTHA,    Linno&us.      Leaves 
mostly  trifid,  blunt,  a   little  wedge-shaped, 
serrate,  rather  smooth  and  shining.     Petioles 
and  calyx  without  glands.    Styles  1-3.    Fruit 
ovoid. — English  hawthorn.     Flowers  in  May. 

In  England,  this  is  in  the  smallest  garden, 
so  much  is  it  valued  for  the  earliness  and 
fragrance  of  its  flowers.  They  make  very 
beautiful  objects,  pruned  up  to  a  single  stem, 
as  single  specimen  small  trees,  in  parks  and 
similar  places,  there ;  here,  they  do  not  seem 
so  well  adapted  as  some  of  our  own  species, 
being  of  a  very  luxuriant  straggling  growth, 
throwing  out  few  side  shoots.  There  are 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  109 

many  varieties  of  this  species,  of  which  nearly 
twenty  are  cultivated  by  John  Evans,  at 
Eadnor.  There  are  also  double  red  and 
white  varieties,  and  others  with  various- 
colored  fruits,  highly  ornamental. 

6.  G.  PYRIFOLIA,  Aiton.  Leaves  ovate, 
elliptic,  deeply  serrate.  Calyx  slightly 
downy.  Flowers  3-styled.  —  Pear-leaved 
hawthorn. 

This  species  does  not  grow  so  tall  as  some 
of  the  other  kinds,  rarely  reaching  twenty 
feet.  It  is  very  desirable  on  account  of  its 
foliage,  and  as  being  one  of  the  latest  to  open 
its  blossoms ;  they  seldom  appearing  before 
the  middle  of  June.  Though  a  native  of  the 
Northern  States,  it  is  scarce  here  in  cultiva- 
tion, Mr.  Evans  being  the  only  cultivator 
who,  to  my  knowledge,  possesses  it. 

CRYPTOMERIA,  Thunberg.  —  Nat.  Ord.  Pi- 
nacese.  Moncecia,  Monadelphia.  Scales  pel- 
tate, 4-6-seeded.  Seeds  2-winged. 

C.  JAPONIC  A,  Don.  Leaves  5 -rowed,  ses- 
sile, with  dec  ur  rent  nerves,  linear,  incurved, 
slightly  4-angled,  awl-shaped. — Japan  cedar. 

In  its  native  country  it  is  said  to  reach 
10 


110  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

near  one  hundred  feet  high,  growing  in  damp 
soils,  on  a  basaltic  substratum. 

It  is  perfectly  hardy  with  us,  and  has  a 
beautiful  light-green  appearance  through 
summer.  In  winter  it  becomes  quite  brown. 

CUPRESSUS,  Tournefort.  —  Nat.  Ord.  Pi- 
naceae.  Monoecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male 
flowers  in  catkins.  Calyx,  a  scale  of  the 
catkin,  bearing  four  sessile  anthers.  Female 
flowers  heaped  in  a  roundish  cone,  without  a 
corolla.  Styles  concave,  ovaries  eight,  in  a 
receptacle.  Fruit,  a  strobile. 

1.  C.  THYOIDES,  Linnceus.  Leaves  acute, 
flat,  imbricated. — White  cedar.  Native  of 
the  Middle  States. 

Frequently  grows  thirty  feet  high,  and  at 
first  sight  resembles  the  red  cedar.  It  has  a 
very  slender,  straight  trunk,  and  the  branches 
grow  erect,  giving  the  tree  a  very  slim  ap- 
pearance. It  delights  in  a  low,  wet  situation, 
and  is  therefore  often  valuable  as  thriving 
where  few  others  will.  A  specimen  at  Bar- 
tram,  on  rather  dry  soil,  is  twenty  feet  high 
and  nine  inches  in  circumference. 

It  can  be  propagated  from  seeds  or  cuttings. 

.''•"'  •  ''01-    * 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  Ill 

The  former  sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  in  a  light 
moist  soil,  in  a  shady  situation.  They  will 
mostly  appear  the  following  spring. 

Cuttings  may  be  taken  off  in  the  fall  as 
soon  as  the  wood  is  firm,  and  put  in  a  bed  of 
coarse  sand,  and  kept  shaded  from  the  full 
sun.  They  will  require  protection  from  frost, 
or  it  will  draw  them  out  of  the  soil.  Most 
of  them  will  be  rooted  by  spring.  They  are 
not  so  desirable  for  fine  specimens  as  seed- 
lings. 

2.  C.  TORULOSA,  David  Don.  Leaves 
ovate,  obtuse,  imbricated  in  four  rows.  Main 
branches  crowded,  ascending;  small  branches 
much  crowded,  round,  closely  imbricated 
with  leaves,  often  recurved  at  the  points. — 
Twisted  cypress.  Native  of  Nepaul. 

A  very  beautiful  and  distinct  species. 

It  does  not  prove  entirely  hardy  here,  but 
sufficiently  so  as  to  demand  notice.  The 
finest  I  have  seen  in  the  vicinity  is  about 
three  feet.  It  is  readily  propagated  from 
cuttings,  like  No.  1. 

CYRILLA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Ericaceae. 
Pentandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5- 


112  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

parted,  persistent,  with  small  divisions.  Pe- 
tals five,  thick  and  convex  in  the  centre,  ex- 
ceeding the  length  of  the  calyx.  Stamens 
as  long  as  the  petals.  Ovary  oval,  with  a 
short  style,  and  a  2-3  cleft  stigma. 

1.  C.  RACEMIFLORA,  Linnceus.  Leaves 
wedge-lanceolate,  somewhat  acute  and  lea- 
thery, smooth.  Petals  three  times  longer 
than  the  calyx,  and  convex  in  the  middle. — 
The  cyrilla.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 

One  of  our  prettiest  small  evergreen  trees, 
whether  we  consider  the  cheerful  appearance 
of  its  foliage,  or  its  beautiful  racemes  of  white 
flowers.  It  thrives  well  in  a  light,  gravelly 
loam  contiguous  to  moisture.  In  such,  there 
is  a  specimen  at  Bartram  twenty  feet  high 
and  thirty  inches  in  circumference. 

CYTISUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabaceae. 
Calyx  2-lipped.  Upper  lip  2-cleft.  Lower 
3-toothed.  Legume  attenuated  at  the  base. 

C.  LABURNUM,  Linnczus.  Racemes  simple, 
pendulous.  Leaflets  ovate  oblong.  Legumes 
many-seeded.  —  Laburnum.  Native  of  the 
South  of  Europe.  Flowers  in  May,  in  large 
yellow  clusters.- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  113 

In  the  climate  of  England,  this  is  one  of 
the  most  ornamental  of  small  trees.  It  does 
pretty  well  here  in  a  deep,  rich  loam,  in  a 
cool,  very  shaded,  but  not  close  or  confined 
situation.  It  will  not  do  well  in  a  wet  soil. 

It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds,  layers,  or, 
with  care,  by  cuttings.  The  former  is  best. 
Sow  as  soon  as  ripe  —  if  with  the  pods,  the 
better  —  early  in  spring.  They  appear  in  a 
few  weeks.  The  following  spring  transplant 
into  nursery  rows,  one  foot  apart.  The 
sooner  they  are  permanently  removed  the 
better,  as  they  get  easily  checked  by  being 
disturbed.  There  are  several  varieties,  as 
the  oak-leaved,  variegated,  &c.  These  are  pro- 
pagated by  grafting  or  buddings  on  the  com- 
mon kind. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  about 
twenty-five  feet  high  by  fifteen  inches  in 
circumference. 

DIOSPYROS,  Linnceus.  —  Nat.  Ord.  Ebenaceae. 
Polygamia,  Dioecia,  Linn.  Calyx  4-parted. 
Corolla  pitcher-shaped,  4-cleft.  Stamens,  in 
the  male  flower,  often  sixteen;  in  the  fertile, 
eight.  Styles  4-cleft.  Very  often  8-seeded. 


114  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

D.  VIRGINIANA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
acuminate,  entire,  nearly  smooth ;  petioles 
downy ;  buds  smooth. — Persimmon.  Native 
of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

In  good  soil  this  will  frequently  grow 
forty  or  fifty  feet  high,  and,  in  its  habits  of 
growth,  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
middle-sized  trees  we  have.  "When  by  itself 
it  grows  conical,  with  its  branches  very  tor- 
tuose.  (  It  is  interesting  at  all  seasons.  In 
the  spring,  by  its  deep  shining  green  foliage; 
in  the  summer,  by  the  light  green  fruit ;  in 
the  fall,  by  the  rich  orange  of  its  sered 
leaves,  with  the  deep  brown  of  its  fruit ;  and 
then  in  the  winter,  by  its  rustically -twisted, 
"  ram's-horn"  like  branches.  It  thrives  best 
in  a  deep  rich  loam. 

It  is  propagated  by  its  seeds,  sown  as  soon 
as  ripe.  They  will  appear  in  the  spring.  It 
is  one  of  those  trees  which  do  not  transplant 
readily,  if  not  carefully  cultivated  when 
young. 

There  is  a  specimen  at  Bartram  sixty  feet 
high  and  three  feet  in  circumference;  and 
another  fine  specimen  of  a  variety  planted 
by  William  Bartram,  which  is  of  a  fine  fla- 
vor long  before  the  frost  arrives. 


. 
OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  115 

EL^E  AGNUS,  Linnczus. — Nat.  Ord.  Elaeagna- 
ceae.  Tetrandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  tu- 
bularly bell-shaped,  with  four  slightly  spread- 
ing lobes.  Stamens  shorter  than  the  corolla 
adhering  to  its  base.  Fruit  consisting  of  an 
achenium,  and  of  the  tubular  part  of  the 
calyx  rendered  fleshy.  The  flowers  are  oc- 
casionally male  only. 

E.  HORTENSIS,  Bieberstein.  Leaves  lanceo- 
late, and,  with  the  shoots  of  the  current  year, 
hoary.  Flowers,  axillary.  Fruit,  of  a  red- 
dish brown. — Oleaster.  Native  of  the  south 
of  Europe, 

The  specimen  at  Bartram  is  about  twenty- 
five  feet  high  and  twelve  inches  in  circum- 
ference. It  is  a  small  willow-like  tree,  with 
a  soft  mellow-looking  foliage,  keeping  green, 
in  our  specimen,  till  near  Christmas. 

It  is  easily  propagated  from  its  berries, 
sown  as  soon  as  ripe ;  or  by  layers.  It  does 
best  in  a  loose  loamy  soil,  and  prefers  a  cool 
situation.;  r>Yf^ 

EUONYMUS,  Tournefort.—Nat.  Ord.  Celas- 
traces3.  Pentandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Fruit 
capsular,  3-5-angled ;  3-5-valved ;  valves 


116  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

opening  by  the  middle.     Seeds  coated  by  a 
colored  arillus. 

1.  E.  ATROPURPUREUS,   Jacquin.    Leaves 
elliptic  ovate,  acuminate,  petiolate.   Capsules 
smooth. — Dark  purple  spindle-tree.    Native 
of  the  Middle  States. 

Under  very  favorable  circumstances,  and 
with  >good  trimming  when  young,  it  will 
make  a  small  tree  of  fifteen  feet  high ;  other- 
wise it  will  scarcely  come  under  the  head  of 
Arboriculture.  Its  red  capsules  render  it 
very  conspicuous  in  the  fall. 

It  thrives  best  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  in  a 
somewhat  shaded  situation.  It  is  readily 
propagated  by  either  seeds  or  layers.  Seeds 
should  be  sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  or  they  will 
not  germinate  for  a  season.  They  will  come 
up  freely  if  sown  in  any  moist,  shady  place. 

The  best  specimen  at  Bartram,  on  stony 
soil,  is  about  ten  feet  high. 

2.  E.  EUROPCEUS,  Linnmus.  Leaves  smooth, 
bluntly    serrate,   elliptical;    flowers    mostly 
4-stamened;   peduncles   compressed,   many- 
flowered.     Stigmas  awl-shaped.     Angles  of 
the  capsules  blunt. — European  spindle-tree. 
Those  who  have  seen  this  tree  in  English 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  117 

gardens,  about  ten  or  fifteen  feet  high,  would 
be  unprepared  to  see  a  specimen  double  this 
size  in  the  garden  of  Mend  Longstreth, 
Kingsessing,  which  was  probably  planted 
there  by  Young,  "  the  King's  Botanist,"  and 
rival  of  John  Bartram,  who  formerly  owned 
the  place.  Its  gray  bark,  and,  in  the  fall,  its 
pale  pink  capsules,  clothe  it  with  interest. . 

It  may  be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

3.  E.  LATIFOLIUS,  Bauhin.  Leaves  serrate, 
lanceolate,  with  short  petioles.  Flowers 
mostly  5-stamened,  on  long  cylindrical  pedi- 
cels, many  together.  Petals  white,  changing 
to  purple.  Angles  of  the  capsules  sharp. — 
Broad-leaved  spindle-tree. 

This  is  a  finer  species  than  either  of  the 
other  two,  growing  much  larger  and  stronger, 
and  having  finer  foliage  and  larger  fruit.  It 
is  scarce  in  these  parts,  but  is  cultivated  in 
the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

It  is  a  native  of  the  south  of  Europe. 

FAGUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Corylaceas. 
Monoecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Staminate  flowers 
numerous;  in  globose,  pedunculate,  pendu- 
lous catkins.  Female  flowers  in  twos,  in  an 


118  AMERICAN"  HANDBOOK 

ovoidal,  muricated  involucre.  Pistil  with 
the  base  covered  by  the  calyx.  Styles  three, 
awl-shaped.  Nut  triangular. 

1.  R  FERRUGINEA,  Aiton.  Leaves  oblong 
ovate,  acuminate,  more  or  less  dentate,  cili- 
ate;  the  flexible  armature,  or  bracts,  of  the 
involucre  spreading,  or  recurved. — American 
beech. 

Who  does  not  know  the  beech?  From 
the  child  who  cuts  its  name  on  the  smooth 
gray  bark,  to  the  aged  one  who  stops,  lean- 
ing on  his  staff,  to  take  an  oft-repeated  look 
at  some  noble  specimen  in  a  landscape.  It 
looks  well  in  any  situation  where  quietness 
and  graceful  elegance  are  sought  to  be  ex- 
pressed. In  wild  or  rugged  scenery,  I  con- 
sider it  out  of  place.  By  itself,  in  a  quiet, 
sheltered  nook,  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  it  will 
form  an  object  not  easily  surpassed  for  beau- 
ty. Its  deep  green  glossy  foliage ;  its  slen- 
der feathery  branches;  the  silvery  gray  of 
its  trunk,  with  its  robust,  ample  proportions, 
cannot  fail  to  excite  admiration.  In  wild, 
rugged  scenery,  its  foliage  seems  too  dense 
for  its  light  branches ;  and  the  head  is  too 
regular,  and  seeming  too  overgrown  to  be  in 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  119 

keeping.  It  will  often  grow  to  a  very  large 
size  in  rocky  soil,  if  not  too  dry.  Its  roots 
extend  a  long  way,  and  so  near  the  surface 
that  nothing  but  a  kind  of  broom-rape,  which 
nature  seems  wisely  to  have  provided  for 
the  purpose,  will  grow  amongst  them.  The 
best  Bartram  specimen  is  about  seventy-two 
feet  high  and  four  feet  four  inches  in  circum- 
ference. ">X;* 

Seeds  sown  early  in  spring  very  soon 
germinate.  They  should  be  early  trans- 
planted to  nursery -rows,  and  have  plenty  of 
room  allowed  them.  For  permanent  situa- 
tions, a  two-year  old  plant  is  better  than  an 
older  one. 

2.  F.  SYLVATICA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
glabrous,  slightly  toothed,  and  ciliated. — Eu- 
ropean beech. 

This  very  much  resembles  our  species  in 
habit,  but  has  a  glossier-looking  foliage,  and 
more  compact  habit  of  growth.  It  is  very 
scarce  in  our  district,  existing  chiefly  as 
stocks  on  which  imported  varieties  have 
been  grafted,  and  failed.  It  is  very  late  in 
budding  out  in  the  spring. 

The  variety  cuprea  is  more  common.    The 


120  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

most  handsome  in  form  is  probably  that  at 
Bartram,  which  is  clothed  with  branches  to 
the  ground,  and  is  fifty  feet  high  and  thirty- 
six  inches  in  circumference.  A  specimen 
with  a  magnificent  head  exists  in  the  fine 
arboretum  of  Mr.  Pierce,  which  is  five  feet  in 
circumference.  It  is  propagated  by  grafting 
the  two-year  old  wood  on  the  original  species. 

The  var.  sanguinea  has  larger  and  darker- 
colored  foliage.  I  have  seen  no  very  large 
specimens  here. 

Var.  pendula  is  a  fine  weeping  variety, 
propagated  also  by  grafting. 

The  var.  laciniata  is  cultivated  in  the 
"  Woodlands"  west  of  the  Schuylkill.  Its 
finely  cut  foliage  gives  it  a  very  distinct 
appearance. 

Small  specimens  of  the  var.  cristata  are 
also  in  cultivation,  the  leaves  appearing  like 
a  curled  willow. 

FRAXINUS,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Oleaceae. 
Polygamia,  Dioecia,  Linn.  Sometimes  Dian- 
dria  Monogynia.  Calyx  mostly  none,  or  4- 
parted.  Corolla  none,  or  4-petalled.  Stamens 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  121 

mostly  2.  Pistil  one.  Capsule  a  flat,  lance- 
olate, winged  samara. 

1.  F.  AMERICANA,  Linnmus.  Leaflets  ob- 
long ovate,  somewhat  pubescent  and  glaucous 
beneath;  petioles  and  young  branches  smooth. 
Also  F.  acuminata,  Lambert. — White  ash. 

What  the  Quercus  alba  is  to  its  family, 
this  is  to  the  ashes — the  chief.  It  is  one  of 
our  prettiest  trees.  The  head  is  flat  when 
the  tree  is  full  grown,  and  when  seen  at  a 
little  distance,  seems  regularly  marked  with 
horizontal  lines  of  light  and  shade.  Its  hue 
is  so  light  as  to  have  a  beautiful  effect  when 
combined  with  trees  of  a  darker  shade.  One 
of  the  prettiest  combinations  of  trees  I  think 
I  ever  saw  had  a  white  ash  with  an  Euro- 
pean linden  on  each  side ;  not  near  enough 
to  touch  each  other.  The  lindens  were  per- 
fect cones,  and  perhaps  one-third  taller  than 
the  ash ;  and  formed  a  fine  contrast,  both  in 
habit  and  color,  to  the  ash.  There  was  a 
splendid  specimen  at  Bartram,  which  blew 
down  in  a  gale  in  1850,  measuring  over  one 
hundred  feet  high.  The  roots  of  all  the  ashes 
run  very  near  to  the  surface.  They  require 
a  rich  loam  and  plenty  of  room  to  arrive  at 
11 


122  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

perfection.  Seeds  should  be  sown  as  soon  as 
ripe,  on  a  bed  of  sandy  loam,  in  a  rather 
moist  situation.  They  will  come  up  in  the 
spring.  They  should  be  transplanted  into 
nursery  rooms,  at  least  two  feet  apart,  at  the 
end  of  the  first  season's  growth.  All  the  ashes 
are  amongst  the  latest  to  push  forth  in  the 
spring. 

2.  F.   EPIPTERA,  Wittdenow,  which   is    in- 
cluded in  many  of  our  collections  and  cata- 
logues, is,  so  far  as  I  have  been  enabled  to 
determine,  either  the  same  thing  as  F.  Ameri- 
cana, L.  or  is  not  really  with  us. 

3.  F.    EXCELSIOR,     Willdenow.      Leaflets 
lanceolate,  serrate,  sessile.     Flowers  without 
petals. — English  ash. 

This  species,  though  resembling  the  black 
ash  in  its  descriptive  character,  is  readily  distin- 
guished at  sight.  Its  leaflets  are  smaller,  and 
but  4-6  in  a  leaf.  The  hue  of  the  foliage  is 
so  light  as  to  make  a  marked  distinction.  A 
very  fine  specimen  existed  at  Bartram  till 
1851,  when,  being  very  nearly  decayed,  it 
was  taken  down.  There  are  still  several 
small  ones,  some  exceeding  thirty  feet  high. 

For  soil  and  cultivation  see  No.  1. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  123 

Var.  aurea  has  an  interesting  appearance, 
from  the  color  of  its  bark.  There  is  a  fair- 
sized  specimen  on  the  grounds  of  Mr.  E. 
Buist,  Eosedale,  Kingsessing. 

Var.  heterophylla,  often  bearing  entire 
leaves,  grows  in  the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

Var.  pendula,  the  weeping  ash,  is  indis- 
pensable in  many  situations.  There  is  a  very 
interesting  specimen  at  Bartram,  forming  the 
"Washington  arbor"  under  which  the  Father 
of  his  country,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Wilson, 
and  other  eminent  men,  have  often  sat ;  and 
wherein,  surrounded  by  scenes  he  loved, 
William  Bartram  breathed  his  last.  Here 
sat  Washington,  when  he  replied  to  the 
French  ambassador's  playful  inquiry,  what 
kind  of  a  nut  that  (bombshell)  was:  "It  is  a 
nut  too  hard  for  John  Bull  to  crack."  There 
is  another  taller  specimen  on  the  same  grounds. 

It  is  propagated  by  budding  on  any  of  the 
strong-growing  species. 

4.  F.  JUGLANDIFOLIA,  Willdenow.  Leaflets 
7-toothed,  petiolate,  oval  acuminate.  Branches 
and  petioles  smooth. — Walnut-leaved  ash. 
Native  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

A  middle-sized  tree,  attaining  sometimes 


124  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

sixty  feet  high.     It  thrives  best  in  a  cool 
deep  loam,  contiguous  to  moisture. 

5.  F.  PUBESCENS,  Walter.  Leaflets  on  short 
petioles,  elliptic  lanceolate,  slightly  sharp  and 
serrate ;  petioles  and  young  branches  downy. 
— Downy   ash.     Eed    ash.     Native    of   the 
Northern  and  Middle  States. 

The  most  irregular-headed  of  all  the  ashes. 
The  branches  are  frequently  twisted  and 
tortuose,  very  different  to  the  stiffness  so 
general  in  the  tribe ;  though  not  attaining 
such  large  proportions  as  some  other  kinds, 
it  is  more  ornamental.  It  thrives  best  in  a 
moist  situation.  A  fine  specimen  at  Bartram 
is  fifty  feet  high  by  five  feet  two  inches  in 
circumference. 

6.  F.  QUADRANGULATA,  Michaux.    Young 
branches   quadrangular,  nearly  sessile,  oval 
lanceolate,  sharply  serrate,  downy  beneath. — 
Blue  ash.    Native  of  the  Western  States. 

I  have  seen  but  one  small  tree,  in  the  arbore- 
tum of  Mr.  Pierce.  It  has  the  appearance  of 
being  very  ornamental.  It  is  said  to  grow 
sixty  or  seventy  feet  high,  and  to  require 
less  moisture  than  most  of  our  other  species. 

7.  F.  SAMBUCIFOLIA,    Willdenow.     Leaflets 


.4 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  125 

ovate  lanceolate,  sessile;  the  midrib  hairy 
beneath.  Calyx  wanting. — Black  ash.  Na- 
tive of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States. 

As  an  ornamental  tree,  this  possesses  few 
points  of  interest.  It  has  a  coarse  formal 
habit,  pushes  forth  its  leaves  late  in  spring, 
and  sheds  them  early  in  fall,  and  when  leafless, 
has  no  point  of  beauty  beyond  a  dingy,  smoky, 
disagreeable  blackness,  which  may  occasion- 
ally please  by  its  evident  harmony  with 
wintriness  and  dulness.  It  prefers  a  moist 
situation. 

GLEDITSCHIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Faba- 
cese.  Polygamia,  Dicecia,  Linn.  Hermaphro- 
dite flowers  with  a  4-cleft  calyx.  Corolla  4- 
petalled.  Stamens  6.  Pistil  1. — Male  calyx 
3-leaved.  Corolla  3-petalled. — Female  calyx 
5-leaved,  corolla  5-petalled. 

1.  Gr.  TRIACANTHOS,  Linnceus.  Leaflets 
ovate  oblong.  Frequently,  very  spiny. 
Spines  axillary. — Honey  locust. 

The  most  usual  height  is  fifty  feet.  Opinions 

are  divided  in  regard  to  the  value  of  this  tree 

in  the  landscape.     "When   in  fruit,  with  its 

large  bean-like  pods,  it  has  a  pleasing  aspect. 

It* 


126  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Its  formidable-looking  spines  and  extremely 
thin  foliage,  detract  from  its  otherwise  agree- 
able appearance. 

In  spite  of  its  many  defects,  its  place  in 
some  situations  cannot  be  better  supplied. 
There  is  a  fine  specimen  at  Bartram,  but  the 
winds  have  made  sad  havoc  with  it.  It  is 
ninety  feet  high  and  eight  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. It  thrives  best  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  and 
is  readily  propagated  from  seed  sown  early 
in  the  spring. 

GOKDONIA,  Ellis.— Nat.  Ord.  Ternstro- 
miacese.  Monadelphia,  Polyandria,  Linn. 
Calyx  of  5-sepals,  permanent.  Petals  5,  slightly 
united  at  the  base.  Style  short,  crowned  by 
a5-cornered  peltate  stigma.  Capsules  5 -celled, 
5-valved. 

1.  G.  LASIANTHUS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  very 
smooth,  stiff,  and  shining,  slightly  serrate. 
Flowers  on  long  peduncles.  Capsule  some- 
what conical,  tapering  at  the  top. — Loblolly 
bay.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 

I  am  not  sure  I  am  right  in  including  this 
tree  as  being  in  our  neighborhood.  The 
Bartram  specimens  have  died  out.  I  copy 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  127 

the  following  description  from  Michaux : 
"The  leaves  are  evergreen,  from  three  to  six 
inches  long,  alternate,  oval,  acuminate,  slightly 
toothed,  and  smooth  and  shining  on  the  upper 
surface.  The  flowers  are  more  than  an  inch 
broad,  white  and  sweet-scented.  They  begin 
to  appear  about  the  middle  of  July,  and  bloom 
in  succession  during  two  or  three  months. 
This  tree  possesses  the  agreeable  singularity 
of  blooming  when  only  three  or  four  feet 
high.  From  twenty -five  to  thirty  feet  of  its 
trunk  is  perfectly  straight.  The  small  diverg- 
ency of  its  branches  near  the  trunk,  give  it 
a  regular  pyramidal  form;  but  as  they  ascend 
they  spread  more  loosely,  like  other  trees  of 
the  forest."  "  The  seed  germinate  succesfully 
in  wet  places  among  sphagnum  moss." 

2.  GORDONIA  PUBESCENS,  Willdenow. 
Leaves  lanceolate,  slightly  downy  and  serrate. 
Flowers  sessile,  capsule  round.  Franklinia 
of  Marshal — Franklin-tree.  Banks  of  the 
Altahama,  Georgia. 

In  the  Bartram  garden  this  tree  grows  to 
about  thirty  feet  high,  and  has  a  diameter  of 
from  nine  to  twelve  inches.  The  finest  speci- 
men lately  blew  off  in  a  gale.  It  has  a  very 


128  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

erect  habit  of  growth,  and  is  very  much  in- 
clined to  throw  out  small  branchlets  to  its 
base.  The  flowers,  which  are  white,  like 
a  single  camellia,  and  sweet-scented,  appear 
at  the  ends  of  the  young  branches,  continuing 
from  July  till  frost.  It  seems  to  thrive  best 
in  a  light  rich  loam,  contiguous  to  moisture; 
and  may  be  propagated  by  either  seeds  or 
layers. 

^':ip>v^^^ 

GYMNOCLADUS,  Lamarck.  —  Nat.  Ord.  Faba- 
ceae.  Dicecia,  Decandria,  Linn.  Corolla  of 
5  equal  petals.  Fruit  a  broad  flattened 
legume.  Seeds  roundish. 

G.  CANADEJSTSIS,  Lamarck.  Leaves  doubly 
pinnate.  —  Kentucky  coffee. 

A  tree  of  noble  proportions  ;  with  a  red- 
dish-gray, straight  trunk,  and  heavy  luxuri- 
ant-looking foliage.  Denuded  of  its  leaves 
by  the  frost,  its  branches  still  interest  by  their 
crooked,  picturesque  appearance,  an  interest 
sometimes  heightened  by  the  large  seed-pods, 
which  stay  on  till  spring. 

It  thrives  well  in  a  loose  loam,  which,  if 
deep,  will  grow  it  to  a  great  size.  The  best 
specimen  at  Bartram  is  ninety  -three  feet  high 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  129 

and  six  feet  in  circumference.  There  is  also 
a  very  fine  specimen  in  Marshall's  garden, 
which  is  probably  as  high,  and  seven  feet  in 
circumference. 

It  is  raised  from  seeds  or  by  cuttings  of 
the  roots.  The  former  are  sown  early  in  the 
spring.  The  latter  method  is  most  generally 
adopted.  The  roots  are  cut  into  lengths  of 
two  or  three  inches,  planted  in  boxes  with  the 
largest  end  even  with  the  surface,  about  the 
end  of  the  winter  season,  and  the  boxes  placed 
in  a  slight  bottom  heat.  When  the  cuttings 
are  rooted,  they  are  put  out  in  nursery  rows, 
and  after  their  first  season's  growth,  are  cut 
down  to  a  few  inches  of  the  ground,  when 
they  spring  up  afresh  with  a  vigorous  start. 

HALESIA,  Ellis. — Nat.  Ord.  Styracaceae. 
Dodecandria,  or  Monadelphia,  Monogynia, 
Linn.  Calyx  4-toothed,  superior,  corolla  4- 
cleft,  twisted  to  the  left.  Nut  winged ;  2- 
seeded. 

1.  H.  DIPTERA,  Linnczus.  Leaves  ovate, 
petioles  smooth  and  even.  Fruit  with  two 
large  and  two  small  wings. — Two- winged 
Halesia.  Native  of  Georgia. 


130  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Is  not  easily  distinguished  from  H.  tetrap- 
tera  when  young.  A  close  attention  to  the 
leaves  will  enable  one  to  distinguish  them. 
"When  in  flower  or  fruit  the  distinction  is 
striking.  It  does  not  grow  so  large  as  the 
other  kind,  but  the  flowers  are  handsomer. 

It  may  be  raised  from  seeds,  or  by  grafting 
on  the  tetraptera.  Seeds  should  be  sown,  as 
soon  as  they  are  ripe,  in  a  light  loam.  They 
must  never  be  allowed  to  get  dry,  or  they 
will  not  appear  till  the  following  year.  It 
thrives  best  in  a  cool  deep  loam.  A  speci- 
men at  Bartram  in  dry  gravel  is  about  fifteen 
feet  high  and  nine  inches  in  circumference. 

2.  H.  TETRAPTERA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
petioles  glandular.  Nut  4-winged. — Snow- 
drop tree.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 
Flowers  in  April. 

The  tree  is  round-headed,  somewhat  pen- 
dulous and  irregular,  very  light  and  twiggy ; 
when  covered  with  its  white  flowers  it  is  very 
ornamental.  The  best  Bartram  specimen  is 
fifty  feet  high  and  three  feet  six  inches  in 
circumference.  It  will  do  pretty  well  in  any 
dry  soil,  but  best  in  a  deep  rich  loam.  It  is 
easily  propagated  by  seeds,  as  No.  1. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  131 

HAMAMELIS,  Linnaeus. — Nat.  Ord.  Hama- 
melidaceae.  Tetrandria,  Digynia,  Linn.  Often 
monoecious,  dioecious,  or  polygamous.  Calyx 
3-4-leayed.  Petals  4.  Stamens  8,  4  sterile. 
Ovary  ending  in  2-3  styles  at  the  apex.  Cap- 
sules leathery,  2-celled,  throwing  the  seeds  to 
a  distance  on  bursting. 

1.  H.  VIRGINICA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  round- 
ish ovate,  sharply  toothed,  alternate. — Witch 
hazel.  Native  of  the  Middle  States. 

Naturally  but  a  shrub,  but  a  handsome 
small  tree  in  cultivation.  It  sends  out  its 
yellowish  small  flowers  immediately  after 
the  fall  of  the  leaf;  the  fruit  of  the  previous 
season  ripening  at  the  same  time.  The  foliage 
much  resembles  that  of  the  hazel.  It  seems 
to  thrive  well  in  any  situation,  whether  dry 
or  moist,  stony  or  clayey ;  in  exposed  situ- 
ations or  the  deepest  shade.  The  best  speci- 
men of  Bartram  is  about  fifteen  feet  high  and 
ten  inches  in  circumference.  It  may  be  raised 
from  seeds  or  layers.  The  former  generally 
lie  in  the  ground  two  years  before  they  grow. 

HIBISCUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Malvaceae. 
Monadelphia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Involucre 


. 

132  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

of  many  bracts,  inner  one  nearly  entire. 
Styles  united.  Stigmas  5-10-headed.  Capsule 
5-10-celled. 

H.  SYRIACUS,  L-innceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
wedge-shaped,  deeply  cut.  —  Althaea  frutex. 
Native  of  Syria. 

A  well-known  small  tree,  although  it  is 
most  commonly  seen  as  a  shrub.  Its  flowers 
constitute  its  chief  value.  These  are  of  every 
shade  of  color,  even  to  the  yellow,  though 
that  variety  is  now  scarce.  It  does  best  in  a 
deep  rich  loam,  and  will  do  well  in  any  soil 
but  a  wet  one.  It  is  best  propagated  from 
seeds  sown  in  spring,  which  will  soon  come 
up  and  make  good  plants.  They  will  also 
do  pretty  well  by  cuttings  put  in  early  in 
spring  in  light  soil,  in  a  warm  yet  somewhat 
shaded  situation.  By  layers  they  do  very 
well. 

Fine  specimens,  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  high,  are  common  in  the  vicinity. 


Linnceus.  —  Nat.  Orel  Eleagna- 
ceae.  Dioecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Barren  flowers 
in  catkins.  Anthers  linear,  without  filaments. 
Fertile  flowers  solitary.  Calyx  tubular, 


m      ; .;  :;     :, 

OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  133 

cloven  at  the  summit.  Stigma  awl-shaped. 
Nut  one-seeded,  surrounded  by  a  berry-like 
calyx. 

H.  KHAMNOIDES,  Linn.  Leaves  linear  lan- 
ceolate, silvery.  Berry  orange. — Sea  buck- 
thorn. Native  of  Europe.  Flowers  in  May. 

A  bumelia-like  small  tree,  well  worthy  of 
cultivation  either  for  its  beautiful  foliage  or 
its  berries.  It  will  thrive  in  the  most  barren 
soils..  It  is  readily  propagated  from  layers 
or  from  suckers,  which  in  some  soils  are  so 
numerous  as  to  be  troublesome;  There  is  a, 
specimen  about  three  feet  high  growing  in 
the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

ILEX,  Linn. — Nat.  Ord.  Aquifoliaeeae.  Te- 
trandria,  Tetragynia,  Linn.  Flowers  (from 
abortion)  diceciously  polygamous.  Calyx  4- 
5 -toothed,  remaining  attached  to  the  fruit, 
Petals  of  the  corolla  equal  in  number  to  the 
sepals  of  the  calyx ;  slightly  adhering  at  the 
base.  Berry  4-5-seeded. 

1.   I.  AQUIFOLIUM,   Linn*    Leaves   ovate7 
acute,  spiny,  shining,  wavy.     Flowers  axil- 
lary, subumbelled. — English  holly. 
12 


134  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

In  Britain,  this  rises  forty  feet  high,  or 
more.  It  is  one  of  the  handsomest  ever- 
greens. It  is  considered  sca.rcely  hardy  in 
Philadelphia.  In  the  very  severe  winter  of 
1851-2,  a  specimen  at  Springbrook,  grafted 
on  the  I.  opaca,  came  out  uninjured,  while 
another  close  by  on  its  own  roots  suffered 
very  much.  It  prefers  a  cool  deep  loam, 
and  a  situation  shaded  from  oiir  hot  suns, 
It  is  rather  difficult  to  transplant,  unless  it 
has  been  frequently  removed  already.  I 
prefer  the  month  of  May  for  the  operation, 
taking  advantage  of  some  rainy  "  spell"  for 
that  purpose.  They  will  often  do  well  re- 
moved in  August  or  September. 

It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds.  These 
are  generally  put  into  a  heap  of  sand  to  fer- 
mdnt  together  for  twelve  months.  If  sown 
as  soon  as  gathered,  they  lie  two  years  in 
the  ground  before  germination.  They  ought 
to  be  transplanted  at  the  end  of  the  first 
season's  growth,  and  great  care  afterwards 
taken  to  prevent  their  getting  dry.  If  they 
once  lose  their  leaves,  they  are  not  easily 
recovered.  It  may  also  be  grafted  on  No.  2 
in  March  or  April,  or  budded  in  August  or 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  135 

September.     Buds  take  best  on  two  year  old 
wood. 

There  are  several  beautiful  varieties  intro- 
duced, as  well  as  many  others  that  deserve 
to  be.  Amongst  the  former  are  the  ferox, 
having  its  leaves  a  nest  of  spiny  bristles; 
the  golden-leaved,  and  silver-edged.  The  old 
catalogues  of  foreign  nurserymen  reckon 
over  forty  varieties. 

2.  I.  OPACA,  Aiton.    Leaves  ovate,  acute, 
flat,  smooth,  spiny.     Flowers  at  the  base  of 
last  season's  shoots. — American  holly.     Na- 
tive of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

It  is  rather  nice  in  its  choice  of  soils, 
refusing  unconditionally  to  "do  good'7  in 
cold,  wet,  or  clayey  ones.  In  a  deep  rich 
loam  it  can  scarcely  be  excelled  by  any  ever- 
green I  know ;  and  it  will  grow  in  dry  or 
barren  places.  It  is  seldom  of  so  dark  a  hue 
as  No.  1;  but  that  contrasts  as  well  with  its 
light-red  berries.  The  best  Bartram  speci- 
men is  thirty-two  feet  high,  by  forty  inches 
in  circumference  at  the  base. 

Propagation.     See  No.  1. 

3.  I.  VOMITORIA,  Alton.     Leaves  alternate, 
distant,  oblong,  somewhat  blunt,  serrate,  not 


•M  "~ 

136  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

spiny. — Emetic  holly;  South  Sea  tea.     Na- 
tive of  the  Southern  States. 

A  very  beautiful  small  evergreen  tree, 
rising  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  feet  high,  of  a 
pyramidal  form,  with  very  dark  green  foli- 
age, and  clothed  with  beautiful  red  berries 
throughout1  the  winter.  It  is  scarcely  con- 
sidered hardy  here,  though  I  believe  in  most 
cases  it  is  so. 

JUGLANS,  Linn. — Nat.  Ord.  Juglandace^e. 
Moncecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Catkins  of  the 
staminate  flowers  simple,  cylindrical,  loosely 
imbricated,,  with  a  5-6-parted  scale  for  a 
calyx.  Styles  two,  very  short,  with  large 
stigmas.  Fruit  with  the  husk  undivided. 

1.  J.  CINEBEA,  Linn.  Leaflets  mostly  eleven, 
oblong  lanceolate,  oblique  or  roundish  at 
the  base,  softly  pubescent  beneath;  petioles 
downy.  Fruit  ovoid,  oblong,  leathery,  downy, 
sticky,  or  viscid,  and  the  shell  of  the  nut 
deeply  striated. — Butternut;  white  walnut. 
Native  of  most  of  the  Northern,  Middle,  and 
Western  States. 

The  ailanthus  has  been  admired  for  its 
"  oriental"  appearance  in  the  landscape.  As 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  137 

it  is  fast  growing  in  disgrace,  this  tribe  is  the 
best  substitute.  This  kind  seldom  exceeds 
fifty  feet  high,  is  generally  round-headed, 
with  an  inclination  to  become  flat.  The 
finest  specimen  at  Bartram  is  fifty-five  feet 
high  and  fifty-four  inches  in  circumference. 

It  thrives  best  in  a  cool,  deep,  and  rich 
loam;  and  is  best  propagated  by  sowing  the 
nuts  about  four  inches  apart,  in  rows,  early 
in  spring,  covering  them  about  two  inches 
deep.  They  are  in  general  difficult  to  trans- 
plant, and  the  sooner  they  are  removed  to 
their  final  positions  the  better.  They  also 
take  easily  by  grafting  on  each  other.  *  •& 

2.  J.  NIGRA,  Linnceus.  Leaflets  about  fif- 
teen, ovate  lanceolate,  nearly  heart-shaped 
at  the  base.  Fruit  globose,  dotted,  spongy. 
Nut  nearly  round,  wrinkled. — Black  walnut. 

This  is  a  larger  tree  every  way  than  the 
preceding,  and  the  handsomest  of  the  group. 
It  is  somewhat  round-headed,  but  frequently 
quite  cylindrical,  or  even  conical.  They 
should  always  grow  by  themselves,  on  ac- 
count of  their  unneighborly  propensity  of 
injuring  everything  growing  about  them. 
The  finest  Bartram  specimen  is  eighty  feet 
12* 


138  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

high  by  four  feet  ten  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence. 

The  same  soil  and  culture  as  No.  1  suits 
it  also. 

3.  J.  REGIA,  Linnceus.  Leaflets  about  nine, 
oval  or  oblong,  smooth.  Fruit  ovate,  smooth. 
Nut  with  a  thin  shell. — English  walnut. 

Not  quite  so  ornamental  as  either  of  the 
other  two,  but  still  interesting  on  account  of 
its  luxuriant  growth,  fine  glossy  foliage,  deep 
purple  branches,  and  smooth  gray  stems. 
"When  old,  it  is  round-headed,  often  flat,  and, 
to  most  tastes,  less  interesting.  It  loves  a 
deep,  dry,  rich  loam,  especially  if  it  have  a 
limestone  character.  There  are  many  fine 
specimens  about  Philadelphia.  The  Bartram 
specimen  is  but  young,  but  measures  forty 
feet  high,  and  thirty-four  inches  in  circum- 
ference. The  female  flowers  are  frequently 
killed  by  spring  frosts. 

Propagated  by  sowing  the  nuts,  or  by 
grafting. 

JUNIPERUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceae. 
Dicecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male  flower  a 
conical  catkin ;  the  scales  of  the  catkin  each 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  139 

forming  a  calyx.  Stamens  three.  Female, 
calyx  3-parted.  Petals  three.  Styles  three. 
Berry  3 -seeded,  irregular.  .^V 

1.  J.  COMMUNES,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in  threes, 
spreading,   mucronate.     Berries   longish. — 
Common  juniper.     Native   of  Europe  and 
America. 

When  usually  seen  in  gardens,  it  is  but  a 
shrub,  tied  up  into  shapes  pyramidal  and 
conical;  when  left  to  itself,  without  the  inter- 
ference of  knife  or  string,  it  forms  a  very 
picturesque  small  tree.  There  is  such  a 
specimen  at  Bartram,  measuring  thirty -five 
feet  high,  and  two  and  a  half  feet  in  circum- 
ference. It  is  growing  on  a  dry  loam  with 
a  gravelly  subsoil,  which  seems  to  suit  it 
admirably.  There  are  several  varieties, 
amongst  which  I  am  inclined  to  include  the 
Swedish  juniper,  J.  suecica,  Miller. 

They  may  be  easily  raised  from  seed  sown 
as  soon  as  ripe ;  or  by  cuttings  put  in  sandy 
soil  early  in  the  fall,  and  protected  from  frost 
through  the  winter. 

2.  J.  EXCELS  A  of  Bieberstein.     A  Siberian 
species,  with  a  fine  erect  habit  of  growth  and 
glaucous  foliage;  ought  to  be  hardy  in  this 


140  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

district ;  but,  so  far  as  I  have  hitherto  seen, 
has  been  preserved  in  cool  greenhouses  in 
the  winter. 

3.  J.  VIRGINIANA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in 
threes,  fastened  at  the  base;  the  younger 
ones  imbricate,  the  older  spreading.  Berries 
roundish. — Eed  cedar. 

A  well-known  and  useful  evergreen,  often 
growing  thirty  or  forty  feet  high.  It  varies 
so  much  from  seed,  that  to  describe  its  habits 
of  growth,  would  be  to  particularize  each 
individual  tree.  Sometimes  compact,  some- 
times very  loose;  in  one  case  erect  and  stiff, 
in  another  gracefully  pendent.  In  some 
places,  we  see  them  broadly  round-headed, 
in  others  spiry  and  conical.  The  handsomest 
young  specimen  I  have  ever  seen  is  in  Mr. 
Beckett's  (formerly  Buonaparte's)  grounds, 
at  Bordentown;  and  with  the  finest  trunk,  on 
the  grounds  of  Mr.  Cope.  The  red  cedar 
thrives  in  any  dry  loose  soil  that  is  not  too 
rich,  but  seems  to  do  best  in  a  light  cool 
loam. 

It  is  readily  propagated  like  No.  1. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  141 

KCELREUTERIA,  Laxmann. — Nat.  Ord.  Sa- 
pindacese.  Octandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
5-parted.  Petals  mostly  4,  with  a  double 
appendage  on  the  inside.  Style  acute- 'at  the 
apex.  Fruit  bladdery,  1-celled  above,  3- 
celled  below,  3-valved.  Leaves  alternate. 

K.  PANICULATA,  Lambert.  The  only  known 
species.  Native  of  China. 

A  very  pretty  looking  small  tree,  deserv- 
ing a  place  in  every  garden  for  its  numerous 
large  panicles  of  yellow  flowers,  with  which 
the  tree  is  covered  in  July  and  August.  A 
cool  deep  loam,  in  a  situation  partially  shaded, 
is  well  suited  to  it.  In  England,  it  is  propa- 
gated from  layers  and  root  cuttings.  In  this 
country  it  perfects  its  seed.  The  specimen 
at  Bartram  is  below  the  average,  being  about 
fifteen  feet. 

...    ^      f .-  f  _ .  ; . ,  '  /- 

LAGERSTR^MIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Ly- 
thraceas.  Polyandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
6-cleft,  bell-shaped.  Petals  6,  curled.  Stamens 
with  the  six  outer  ones  stouter  than  the  rest, 
and  longer  than  the  petals. 

L.   REGINA,  Roxburgh.     Leaves  opposite. 


142  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

,    \ 

Lagerstraemia. — Fringe    myrtle.     Native   of 
the  mountains  of  the  East  Indies. 

A  very  beautiful  small  tree,  generally 
treated  as  a  greenhouse  plant.  A  fine  speci- 
men on  the  grounds  of  the  late  Nathan  Jones, 
Blockley,  near  Philadelphia,  planted  many 
years  ago  by  one  of  the  Bartrams,  is  now 
over  thirty  feet  high,  and,  when  in  flower,  is 
a  most  beautiful  sight.  This  is  growing  in 
a  light  poor  soil.  It  is  sheltered  on  the 
north-west  by  the  house  from  wintry  winds, 
and  partially  shaded  from  the  hot  sun  by 
trees  on  the  south.  In  cold  clays  it  is  gene- 
rally cut  to  the  ground  in  winter. 

It  is  propagated  by  cuttings  or  layers.  The 
former  should  be  taken  off  just  before  the 
fall  of  the  leaf,  and  placed  in  sandy  soil, 
where  they  can  be  protected  from  frost  dur- 
ing winter,  and  not  suffered  to  get  damp. 
-%>£'•  J^r£v/*  7>---y^.;^  •/';<>  ^J'fc-X"?'*;^* 

LARIX,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceae. 
Monoecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.,  or  Dioecia. 
Leaves  annual,  disposed  in  groups.  Cones 
erect. 

1.  L.  EUROPCEA,  Decandolle.  Leaves  linear, 
soft,  one  inch  long.  Cones  oblong,  ovate, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  143 

erect,  one  inch  long. — European  larch.  Moun- 
tains of  Europe. 

In  ornamental  gardening,  few  trees  come 
into  service  oftener  than  the  larch.  It  has 
become  so  associated  with  rocky,  rugged, 
barren  scenery,  that  wherever  this  is  promi- 
nent we  almost  look  for  the  larch  as  for  a 
necessity.  Its  foliage  is  of  such  an  agreeable 
light-green  hue,  and  at  the  same  time  so  soft 
and  graceful,  while  its  branches  are  frequently 
drooping  and  always  slender,  that  it  is  sure 
to  please.  It  has  the  advantage,  too,  of  thriv- 
ing in  the  dryest  and  most  barren  soils,  where 
little  else  will,  and  thereby  turning  a  useless 
piece  of  ground  into  a  source  of  pleasure 
and  profit.  There  are  several  fine  specimens 
both  at  Bartram  and  in  Marshall's.  The 
finest  of  the  former  is  one  hundred  and  eight 
feet  high,  and  five  feet  four  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  early  in  spring 
in  boxes  of  light  sandy  soil,  or  in  beds  of  the 
same  material ;  cover  about  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  thick,  and  keep  them  carefully  moist 
till  the  plants  appear.  If  sown  thinly,  they 


144:  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

will  be  better  not  transplanted  for  a  couple 
of  years. 

2.  L.  AMERICANA,  Michaux.  Leaves  about 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  long.  Cones  small, 
ovate  roundish,  with  few  scales. — American 
larch;  hackmatack. 

Though  closely  allied  botanically  with  No. 
1,  it  is  very  different  in  general  appearance. 
The  foliage  has  a  bluish  tinge,  the  branches 
less  drooping,  and  more  divaricating. 

In  a  level  piece  of  ground,  standing  singly, 
I  think  it  more  beautiful  than  the  other.  It 
thrives  best  in  a  deep  cool  loam,  and  in  a 
rather  moist  situation,  and  may  be  propagated 
as  No.  1. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  quite  young, 
but  is  about  forty  feet  high  and  two  feet  nine 
inches  in  circumference. 
. - '-tv.; Y^-;'  •*,-  i*.-"'--  ';/*«   -•' ;     :•',('.  •   '•-  ,/;  ;:  ' 

LAURUS,  Linnceus.—Nat.  Orel  Lauracese. 
Enneandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  want- 
ing. Corolla  6-parted.  Stamens  arranged 
in  a  double  series,  the  outer  ones  with  dis- 
tinct simple  -  filaments,  the  three  inner  ones 
connate  at  the  base,  bearing  glands.  Fruit 
a  one-seeded  drupe. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  145 

L.  SASSAFRAS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  entire  or 
3-lobed.  Flowers  terminal,  frequently  dioe- 
cious. Buds  and  pedicels  downy. — Sassafras. 

In  my  opinion,  one  of  the  most  interesting 
trees  that  can  be  in  a  landscape,  the  glau- 
cous green  of  its  foliage  is  so  uncommon ; 
and  it  is  one  of  the  first  to  aid  in  forming 
that  beautiful  picture  of  autumnal  forest 
scenery  which  has  so  enraptured  European 
travellers,  and  gives  the  American  landscape 
a  position  amongst  the  special  beauties  of  the 
world.  The  sassafras  generally  grows  in  a 
conical  form ;  but  the  leaves  are  mostly  formed 
on  the  branches  in  lines  running  horizontally, 
causing  a  very  pleasing  effect  in  light  and 
shade.  Towards  the  fall,  the  leaves  turn  to 
a  reddish-brown,  turning  up  at  the  edges, 
with  a  beautiful  appearance.  Unfortunately, 
nature  seldom  gives  her  beauties  unalloyed; 
and,  in  the  case  before  us,  the  suckers  which- 
it  perseveringiy  throws  up  in  spite  of  all 
opposition,  render  it  objectionable.  It  is 
readily  propagated  from  suckers,  or  by  seeds 
sown  in  June,  as  soon  as  ripe.  It  thrives 
well  in  dry  sandy  loam,  but  will  grow  in  any 
situation.  The  best  Bartram  specimen  is 
13  V 


146  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

-  '"*  ' 

fifty  feet  high  and  forty-two  incites  in  circum- 
ference. 

LIQUIDAMBAR,  LinnoBus. — Nat.  Ord.  Altin- 
giaceao.  Monoecia,  polyandria,  Linn.  Male 
'flower  with  a  common  4-leaved  calyx,  with- 
out a  corolla.  Female  calyx  in  a  globe,  4- 
leaved,  without  a  corolla.  Styles  2.  Capsules 
many,  in  a  globe,  2-valved,  many  seeded. 

L.  STYKACIFLUA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  pal- 
mate-lobed,  with  the  sinuses  of  the  base  of 
the  veins  villose. — Sweet  gum.  Native  of  the 
Middle  States. 

This  varies  very  much  according  to  the 
circumstance  or  situation  wherein  it  grows. 
In  the  shade,  or  surrounded  by  other  trees, 
it  has  very  few  side  branches,  and  grows  up 
with  a  clean  smooth  stem  to  a  great  height. 
In  a  wet  soil,  but  in  an  exposed  situation,  it 
grows  tall,  with  a  very  bulky  trunk,  and  a 
loose  cylindrical  appearance.  In  a  cool,  deep, 
rich  loam,  it  becomes  very  spreading  and 
round-headed,  and  in  that  state  is  one  of  the 
prettiest  of  trees.  Its  star-like  cut  leaves, 
with  their  beautiful  gloss,  move,  like  some 
poplars,  with  the  lightest  breezes ;  and,  ex- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  147 

posed  to  the  full  sun,  give  animation  to 
scenery.  Its  branches  frequently  present  a 
curious  corky  appearance.  In  favorable  cir- 
cumstances I  have  known  it  grow  eighty  feet 
high,  with  a  circumference  of  seven  feet.  The 
Bartram  specimen,  on  dry  stony  soil,  is  nearly 
decayed,  and  is  forty-five  feet  high,  and  four 
and  a  half  feet  in  circumference.  It  is  raised 
from  seeds,  sown  as  soon  as  ripe  in  a  light 
loam,  in  a  cool  situation,  slightly  protected  in 
winter  by  a  few  leaves  thrown  over  the  bed. 
Most  of  them  will  appear  in  the  following 
spring. 

LIRIODENDRON",  Lmnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Mag- 
noliaceae.  Polyandria,  Polygynia,  Linn.  Car- 
pels not  opening  to  let  out  the  seed,  as  in 
Magnolia;  winged,  arranged  in  a  spike.  Ca- 
lyx 3-leaved,  deciduous.  Corolla  6-petalled, 
bell-shaped. 

L.  TULIPIFERA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  3-lobed, 
the  terminal  lobe  appearing  as  if  abruptly 
cut  off. — Tulip-tree.  Native  of  the  Northern 
and  Middle  States.  Flowers  in  June. 

One  of  the  loftiest  of  American  deciduous 
trees.  It  rises  with  a  stem  perfectly  straight; 


148  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

and,  when  crowded,  soon  loses  its  side- 
branches.  When  the  tree  becomes  old,  the 
main  branches  curve  downwards,  affording  a 
readily  distinguishing  mark  when  it  is  desti- 
tute of  foliage.  When  unsurrounded  by  any 
other  tree,  it  branches  out  close  to  the 
ground,  and  presents  a  fine  conical  appear- 
ance till  it  gets  old,  when  it  becomes  rather 
irregular  and  rough  in  its  appearance.  Few 
trees  are  better  fitted  to  form  a  single  object 
in  a  park  or  on  a  lawn;  the  very  peculiarity 
of  its  foliage  and  appearance  suggesting  the 
exclusiveness  in  which  it  would  stand  in  order 
to  show  off  its  entire  beauty.  It  is  short- 
lived in  towns,  and  soon  shows  a  distaste  for 
city  life;  evidently  preferring  the  times  of 
the  Indians  to  the  modern  march  of  civiliza- 
tion. It  thrives  best  in  strong,  clayey,  or 
micaceous  soils.  They  are  easily  raised  from 
seed,  sown  as  soon  as  ripe,  in  any  loamy  soil 
in  a  shady  situation.  They  will  appear  the 
next  spring.  They  should  be  transplanted 
every  year  till  they  go  into  their  permanent 
situations,  as,  otherwise,  it  is  next  to  impos- 
sible to  remove  them  successfully.  The 
finest  specimen  I  am  acquainted  with  in  cul- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  149 

tivation  is  at  Bartram,  which,  is  ninety  feet 
high,  and  seven  feet  eight  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

MACLURA,  Nuttall.  —  Nat  Ord.  Moracese. 
Dioecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Male  flowers  in  a 
very  short,  nearly  sessile  panicle  of  about 
twelve  flowers.  Female  flowers  in  close 
heads  on  a  short  peduncle. 

M.  AURANTIACA,  Nuttall.  Leaves  ovate 
acuminate,  of  a  deep  shining  green.  Male 
plant  with  smaller  leaves.  Fruit  as  large  as 
a  good-sized  orange,  golden  yellow,  verru- 
cose. — Osange  orange.  Native  of  Arkansas. 

As  an  ornamental  tree,  this  is  almost  too 
coarse  to  be  beautiful ;  yet  its  shining  leaves, 
and  pretty  fruit,  will  always  insure  it  a  place 
in  collections.  The  best  Bartram  specimen 
(female)  is  about  thirty  feet  high  and  four 
feet  in  circumference.  The  male  about  fif- 
teen feet  high.  It  is  best  propagated  from 
seeds  obtained  from  the  neighborhood  of.  a 
staminate  plant,  and  sown  in  drills  like  peas 
early  in  the  spring;  the  following  year 
place  in  nursery-rows  eighteen  inches  apart. 
1 


150  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

It  prefers  a  rich  moist  loam,  though  it  will 
grow  in  any  situation. 

MAGNOLIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Magnolia- 
ceae.  Poly andria,  Poly gynia,  Linn.  Calyx  3- 
leaved.  Petals  9.  Carpels  collected  gene- 
rally in  a  crowded  spike,  each  opening  by 
the  external  surface;  1-2-seeded.  Seeds 
berry-like,  hanging  from  the  carpels  by 
threads  when  ripe. 

1.  M.  ACUMINATA,  Linnwus.  Leaves  ovate, 
tapering  to  a  point.  Fruit  cylindrical,  resem- 
bling, before  ripe,  a  small  cucumber. — Blue 
magnolia ;  cucumber-tree. 

Cultivated,  this  is  the  finest  of  the  family. 
In  common  with  all  the  deciduous  magno- 
lias, this  is  very  artificial  in  its  appearance, 
and  well  adapted  on  that  account  to  many 
peculiar  situations  in  a  garden.  The  fine 
specimens  at  Bartram  are  rather  round  or 
flattish-headed,  having  lost  their  lower 
branches;  but  the  specimens  in  Marshall's 
garden  are  of  the  most  beautiful  and  regular 
conical  shape.  Having  no  leaves  but  at  the 
extremities,  we  look  up  into  this  specimen 
as  to  an  immense  umbrella.  This  is  about 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TKEES.  151 

ninety  years  old,  and  is  seven  feet  ten  inches 
in  circumference,  and  perhaps  eighty  feet 
high.  The  Bartram  one  is  about  the  same 
height,  and  but  seven  feet  in  circumference. 
It  is  a  native  of  the  mountainous  regions  of 
the  Middle  States,  and  thrives  well  in  any 
deep  loam,  on  a  dry  bottom. 

They  are  very  easily  propagated  by  seeds 
sown  as  soon  as  ripe.  They  require  early 
transplanting  to  their  final  positions ;  or, 
otherwise,  frequently  removed.  They  take 
readily  grafted  on  each  other. 

2.  M.  AURICULATA,  Lamarck.  Leaves  ovate, 
narrowed  towards  the  base,  and  swelling  out 
into  lobes  or  ears.  Fruit  smaller  than  M.  ma- 
crophylla. — Long-leaved  cucumber-tree.  Na- 
tive of  the  Middle  States.  Flowers  in  May. 

This  seems  to  excel  in  cultivation  any- 
thing in  a  wild  state.  It  is  perhaps  more 
artificial  in  its  character  than  the  last,  as  it 
has  larger  leaves  and  denser  foliage,  of  a 
paler  hue,  contrasting  well  with  the  depth  of 
its  own  shade.  Its  branches  are  stiffer  than 
any  of  the  others.  It  thrives  in  similar  situa- 
tions to  the  last,  and  may  be  propagated  and 
managed  in  the  same  way. 


152  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  seventy 
feet  high  and  five  and  a  half  feet  in  circum- 
ference. 

The  M.  PYRIMIDATA  of  Bartram  is  not  in 
the  collection  now,  and  is  probably  a  variety 
of  this. 

3.  M.  CONSPICUA,  Salisbury.  Leaves  ob- 
ovate,  abruptly  terminating  to  a  point. 
Flowers  appearing  before  the  leaves. — Chi- 
nese magnolia ;  yulan.  Flowering  in  April. 

It  is  a  native  of  China,  where  it  is  said  to 
have  been  in  cultivation  over  one  thousand 
years ;  and  well  it  deserves  to  be.  Flower- 
ing in  the  greatest  profusion,  and  at  a  season 
when  there  is  nothing  else  in  bloom,  and 
these  flowers,  too,  combining  the  fragrance 
of  the  lily  with  the  beauty  of  the  rose — what 
can  be  more  desirable  ?  It  thrives  best  in  a 
deep  rich  loam  in  a  sheltered  locality.  In 
England,  it  seldom  grows  over  ten  or  twelve 
feet;  here,  it  will  probably  rival  it  in  its  native 
localities.  The  Bartram  specimen  is  small; 
but  there  are  many  fine  specimens  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  city.  It  is  readily  propagated 
from  seed,  which  it  sparingly  produces.  The 
best  plan  is  by  grafting  on  the  acuminata. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  153 

4.  M.  CORDATA,  Michaux.    Leaves  heart- 
shaped;  flowers  yellow;  fruit  ovate,  nearly 
cylindrical. — Heart-leaved  magnolia.    Native 
of  Georgia  and  Carolina. 

A  very  hardy  round-headed  species,  much 
valued  for  its  yellowish  flowers,  appearing  in 
July.  In  its  native  places  it  grows  about 
fifty  feet  high.  There  are  very  fine  speci- 
mens in  Hamilton's  old  garden  at  the  Wood- 
lands, and  also  in  Mr.  Pierce's  arboretum; 
one  specimen  four  feet  in  circumference. 

5.  M.   GLAUCA,   Linnceus.     Leaves   ovate 
elliptic,  white  or  glaucous  beneath;  almost 
evergreen, — Small  or  swamp  magnolia ;  white 
bay.     Native  of  the  Middle   and  Southern 
States. 

This  tree  is  naturally  a  native  of  swampy 
places;  but  I  think  that,  in  a  good  deep  loam, 
it  will  excel  anything  indulging  in  its  swamp- 
loving  habits.  It  grows  luxuriantly  in  such 
situations,  and  very  compact  and  symmetri- 
cal; its  deep-red  seeds  contrasting  handsome- 
ly with  the  gray  green  of  its  foliage.  The 
best  Bartram  specimen  is  about  twenty  feet 
high. 

The  M.  longifolia  of  Aiton  is  but  a  variety 


154  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

of  this.    M.  Thompsonia  is  a  hybrid,  between 
this  and  M.  tripetala. 

6.  M.  GRANDIFLORA,  Linnceus.  Leaves 
evergreen,  mostly  inclining  to  oval,  stiff  and 
leathery,  more  or  less  rusty  beneath. — Large- 
flowered  magnolia.  Native  of  the  Southern 
States.  Flowers  in  June  and  July. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  products  of  the 
vegetable  kingdom  when  in  its  own  soil; 
often  reaching  ninety  feet  high.  It  is  only 
hardy  in  Philadelphia  when  grown  in  dry 
soils  and  sheltered  places.  The  one  planted 
by  John  Bartram  is  still  in  existence,  but 
every  few  winters  it  is  killed  to  the  ground. 
It  loves  a  loose,  deep,  and  rich  soil,  rather 
dry,  yet  contiguous  to  moisture.  May  be 
propagated  as  No.  1,  by  seeds,  layers,  or 
grafts. 

There  are  many  beautiful  varieties,  of 
which  the  handsomest  is  perhaps  M.  G.  prce- 
coXj  flowering  earlier  and  larger.  There  are 
some  fine  specimens  of  this  at  Bartram,  but 
protected  in  winter.  Mr.  Pierce  has  one  in 
his  arboretum  which  stands  out  pretty  well. 
7.  M.  MACROPHYLLA,  Michaux.  Leaves  large, 
obovate,  slightly  cordate  at  the  base.  Petals 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  155 

six;  ovate,  incurved.  Fruit  ovate. — Large- 
leaved  magnolia.  Native  of  Tennessee. 
Flowers  in  June  and  July. 

This  is  a  remarkable  tree,  wandering  far 
away  in  appearance  from  the  usual  forms  of 
arboreal  vegetation  in  temperate  climates. 
It  is  in  every  way  larger  and  stronger  than 
M.  tripetala,  and,  like  that  kind,  well  calcu- 
lated to  adorn  very  artificial  scenery.  It 
thrives  pretty  well  in  the  shade  of  other 
trees.  It  seems  to  do  best  in  a  strong  loamy 
soil,  if  not  wet.  A  fine  specimen  at  Bartram 
is  about  thirty  feet  high  and  twelve  inches 
in  circumference,  which  is  growing  in  a  light 
loam  on  a  bed  of  brick  earth.  It  is  easily 
raised  from  seeds,  as  No.  1,  but  is  considered 
very  difficult  to  transplant,  unless  often  re- 
moved when  young,  and  "puddled"  before 
being  removed  to  any  distance.  The  finest 
specimen  I  have  seen  is  in  the  grounds  of 
Mr.  Pierce. 

8.  M.  SOULANGEANA  is  a  hybrid  between 
M.  acuminata  and  M.  purpurea.  It  can  scarce- 
ly rank  as  a  tree,  though  of  a  much  stronger 
habit  than  purpurea.  Few  things  make  so 
pretty  a  bush  as  it  does. 


156  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

'  9.  M.  TRIPETALA,  Linnaeus.  Leaves  lanceo- 
late, inclining  often  to  wedge-shaped.  Petals 
about  twelve;  exterior  ones  spreading.  Fruit 
almost  cylindrical. — Umbrella-tree.  Native 
of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States.  Flowers 
in  June. 

Its  large  leaves  and  loose  flowing  branches 
give  it  a  peculiar  appearance,  well  meriting 
its  popular  name.  Near  any  artificial  deco- 
rations, in  a  garden,  it  is  a  very  appropriate 
tree.  Its  leaves  fall  with  the  first  frost.  It 
thrives  well  in  a  cool  deep  loam,  having  an 
abhorrence  to  soils  of  a  dry,  stony  nature. 
The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  about  forty 
feet  high  and  three  feet  in  circumference. 

It  is  propagated  and  cultivated  as  the 
others. 

MORUS,  Tournefort. —  Nat.  Ord.  Moraceee. 
Monoecia,  Tetrandria,  Linn.  Calyx  4-parted. 
Flowers  (in  the  male)  in  loose  spikes  without 
a  corolla.  Female  flowers  in  dense  spikes. 
Stigmas  two.  Calyx  becoming  a  berry,  each 
bearing  one  seed. 

1.  M.  ALBA,  Linnceus.    Leaves   obliquely 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  157 

cordate,  shining. — White  mulberry.  Native 
of  China. 

The  celebrated  morus  multicaulis  is  a  va- 
riety of  this.  It  usually  has  a  spreading 
irregular  head;  the  leaves  mostly  shining, 
with  dark  gray  bark.  It  loves  a  rich  soil. 
It  may  be  easily  raised  by  seeds,  layers,  eyes, 
or  cuttings.  A  specimen  at  Bartram  mea- 
sures thirty-one  feet  high  and  thirty-three 
inches  in  circumference.  There  are  also 
varieties  with  black  fruits  >.•>:{* 

2.  M.  RUBRA,  Desfontaines.  Leaves  cordate, 
hairy  beneath,  scabrous  above.  Catkins  cy- 
lindrical. Fruit  deep  purple. — Eed  mulberry. 
Native  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

This  is  the  loftiest  of  the  mulberries,  fre- 
quently reaching  sixty  feet.  It  is  very  regu- 
larly round-headed,  and  the  leaves  very  large, 
giving  it  a  bold  and  strong  appearance.  The 
foliage  has  a  deep  green  hue,  but  yet  lighter 
than  in  the  M.  nigra.  The  rich-colored  fruit, 
with  which  it  abounds  in  June  aijd  July, 
adds  to  its  interest.  It  thrives  best  in  a  deep 
rich  loam,  in  a  partially  shaded  situation.  It 
is  raised  either  from  seeds  or  layers.  A  spe- 
14 


158  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

cimen  at  Bartram  measures  fifty  feet  high 
and  forty-nine  inches  in  circumference. 

3.  M.  NIGRA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  cordate, 
rugged,  smaller  than  the  preceding. — Black 
or  English  mulberry.  Native  of  the  south 
of  Europe. 

This  much  resembles  the  other,  and  is 
adapted  to  the  same  circumstances.  The 
fruit  is  smaller,  and  nearly  round. 


NEGUNDO,  Moench. — -Nat.  Ord.  Aceraceas. 
Dioecia,  Pentandria,  Linnceus.  Calyx  small ; 
4-5-toothed.  Petals  wanting.  Anthers  4-5, 
linear,  sessile.  Female  flowers  in  racemes; 
the  male  ones  in  bundles. 

N. .ACEROIDES,  Moench.  Leaves  of  3-5  leaf- 
lets. Leaflets  rhombic  ovate,  coarsely  cut 
and  toothed. — Box  elder ;  ash-leaved  maple. 
Native  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

Not  so  common  in  gardens  as  it  ought  to 
be.  In  favorable  situations  it  is  a  stately 
tree,  growing  fifty  or  sixty  feet.  When 
crowded  by  other  trees,  the  trunk  seldom 
grows  straight,  and,  indeed,  never  looks  so 
well  in  any  respect  as  when  grown  by  itself. 
It  very  much  resembles  the  ash.  It  has  a 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  159 

darker  line  than  most  of  that  family.  The 
trnnk  is  very  apt  to  throw  ont  knots  and 
small  spray,  which,  in  some  situations,  add 
to  its  interest.  It  will  thrive  well  in  any 
soil,  except  the  driest,  in  which  it  is  usually 
short-lived.  It  can  be  propagated  by  seeds, 
layers,  and,  with  care,  by  cnttings.  It  is 
generally  raised  from  seeds,  like  the  maples. 
The  best  Bartram  specimen  measures  sixty 
feet  high  and  five  feet  two  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

NYSSA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Alangiaceae. 
Polygamia,  Dioecia,  Linn.  Calyx  of  stami- 
nate  flowers  5 -parted,  without  a  corolla.  Sta- 
mens 5-10.  Pistillate  flowers  5-stamened. 
Fruit  a  1 -seeded  drupe.  Nut  oval,  striated. 

1.  N.  MULTIFLORA,  Wangenheim.  Leaves 
oval  and  obovate,  often  acuminate.  Fertile 
peduncles  about  3 -flowered ;  berry  black. — 
Sour  gum ;  tupelo.  Native  of  the  Middle 
and  Southern  States. 

There  is  great  difficulty  in  identifying  the 
different  species  of  nyssa.  In  this  neighbor- 
hood they  vary  very  much.  There  are  two 
very  different  kinds,  which,  without  taking 


160  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

upon  myself  to  pronounce  them  specifically 
distinct,  are  yet  sufficiently  so  to  be  practical. 
The  first  variety  is  round-headed,  the  branches 
extending  out  a  long  way,  and  very  rigidly, 
frequently  very  ruggedly  tortuose  and  twist- 
ing ;  the  leaves  very  much  shining,  and  the 
berries  nearly  round.  It  seldom  exceeds 
fifty  feet  high.  The  leaves  turn  to  a  yellowish- 
red  in  the  fall.  The  other  grows  very  erect 
and  tall,  with  few  side  branches.  It  fre- 
quently reaches  eighty,  or  even  ninety  feet, 
with  a  circumference  of  eight  or  nine.  The 
leaves  turn  to  a  deep  purple  in  the  fall.  The 
first  variety  is  as  frequently  found  in  the 
very  driest  as  in  the  wettest  places;  the  lat- 
ter in  situations  which  can  neither  be  called 
wet  nor  dry.  They  are  indispensable  trees 
in  ornamental  planting.  The  best  specimen 
(round-headed  var.)  at  Bartram,  growing  on 
Very  gravelly  soil,  is  forty-five  feet  high  and 
forty-eight  inches  in  circumference.  There 
is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  other  kind,  but  the 
soil  it  is  in  being  dry,  will  not  permit  it  to 
live  there  many  years  more.  It  may  be  pro- 
pagated from  seeds  sown  early  in  the  spring, 
or  as  soon  as  ripe.  They  seldom  grow  the 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  161 

first  season.  The  soil  in  which  they  are  sown 
must  not  get  dry,  or  they  will  never  vegetate. 
The  young  plants  should  be  removed  early 
into  nursery-rows,  and  frequently  removed 
until  finally  transplanted.  This  mode  will 
make  this  tree  capable  of  being  easily  re- 
moved, which  is  generally  supposed  to  be 
next  to  impossible. 

OSTRYA,  Michaux. — Nat.  Ord.  Corylacese. 
Moncecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male  flowers; 
scales  orbicular-ovate;  anthers  conspicuously 
bearded  at  the  summit.  Female  catkins 
linear,  without  scales,  but  having  a  small 
membrane  inclosing  each  flower.  Nut  ob- 
long, included  in  the  enlarged  bladder-like 
membrane.  In  other  respects  resembling 
Carpinus. 

0.  YIRGINICA,  Michaux.  Leaves  elliptic- 
ovate,  acuminate,  sharply  serrate.  Cones 
oblong;  buds  acute. — Hop-hornbean ;  iron- 
wood.  N  ative  of  the  Middle  States. 

A  very  pretty  tree,  greatly  improved  by 

cultivation.      Its    head  is    then   spreading, 

light,  graceful,  and   as  elegant   as   a  birch, 

and  becomes  near  fifty  feet  high.     It  will 

14* 


162  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

thrive  pretty  well  in  dry,  gravelly  soils,  pro- 
vided they  be  not  on  a  bleak  exposure.  In- 
deed, it  seems  to  love  company,  and,  when 
that  is  the  case,  is  not  over-fastidious  about 
the  quality  of  the  soil.  It  may  be  propa- 
gated as  the  common  hornbean.  The  best 
Bartram  specimen  is  fifty-four  feet  high  and 
three  feet  six  inches  in  circumference. 

PALIUKUS,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Eham- 
naceae.  Pentandria,  Trigynia,  Linn.  Ca- 
lyx 5.  Petals  5,  upon  a  glandular  disk 
adnate  to  the  calyx.  Fruit  dry,  girded  with 
a  broad  membranous  wing;  3 -celled.  Seeds 
ovate. 

P.  ACULEATUS,  Lamarck.  Leaves  ovate,  ser- 
rulate, smooth,  3-nerved,  with  two  spines  at 
the  base,  one  straight,  the  other  recurved. — 
Christ's  Thorn.  Native  of  the  south  of 
Europe. 

A  small  tree,  of  a  very  erect  habit  of 
growth,  and  bluish,  shining  leaves.  The 
large  spines  are  among  the  peculiarities  that 
give  it  prominence.  It  thrives  well  in  dry, 
gravelly  soils,  or  in  the  deepest  shade.  It 
usually  sends  up  occasional  suckers,  by 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  163 

which,  it  may  be  propagated ;  or  more  exten- 
sively by  layers,  put  down  before  the  burst- 
ing of  the  buds  in  spring;  or  by  seeds,  when 
they  can  be  obtained,  which,  however,  often 
lie  two  years  in  the  ground  before  growing. 
The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  thirty  feet 
high  and  two  feet  in  circumference. 

PA  VIA,  Boerhave. — Nat.  Ord.  Sapindacese. 
Heptandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  tu- 
bular. Petals  4,  erect,  narrow.  Stamens 
straight.  Capsules  smooth. 

P.  FLAVA,  De  Gandolle.  Leaflets  5-7,  ellip- 
tic-oblong, acute  at  both  ends,  equally  ser- 
rate. —  Yellow  buckeye.  Native  of  the 
Southern  and  Western  States.  Flowers  in 
June. 

Grows  considerably  larger  than  the  British 
horsechestnut,  but  has  a  less  spreading  and 
beautiful  head.  Its  habit  of  growth  is  quite 
rugged  and  stiff,  strongly  resembling,  at  a 
distance,  magnolia  auriculata.  It  thrives  well 
in  a  loose  loam,  on  a  dry  bottom.  The  best 
specimen  at  Bartram  measures  110  feet  high 
and  seven  feet  one  inch  in  circumference. 

In  the  nurseries,  these  are  usually  grafted, 


164  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

the  flowers  varying  slightly  in  color  from 
seed.  Seed  treated  as  horsechestnuts,  make 
fine  plants. .  The  flowers  appear  later  than 
the  horsechestnut,  and  the  leaves  fall  earlier. 
The  P.  macrostachya  is  a  strong  growing 
and  highly  ornamental  shrub,  of  which  there 
are  several  varieties. .  t;,v* 

PAULOWNIA,  Siebold. — Nat.  Ord<  Scrophu- 
lariaceae.  Didynamia,  Angiospermia,  Linn. 
Calyx  5-cleft;  segments  equal,  coriaceous, 
covered  with  a  rusty  down.  Corolla  2 -lipped, 
imbricated  in  its  aestivation;  the  two  upper 
lobes  external.  Fruit  ovate,  with  a  sharp 
point. 

P.  IMPERIALIS,  Siebold.  The  only  known 
species  is  a  native  of  Japan,  and  thrives  ad- 
mirably in  this  climate.  It  is  as  rapid  a 
grower  as  the  ailanfhusr  the  wood  and  trunk 
of  the  tree  also  resembling  it.  The  leaves 
are  rather  coarse,  looking  like  large  melon 
leaves ;  but  the  beauty  of  the  large  clusters 
of  sky-blue  flowers  which  appear  in  June, 
covers  all  blemishes.  It  will  thrive  in  any 
good  loam,  and  may  be  readily  propagated 
by  cuttings  of  the  roots. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  165 

There  are  many  fine  specimens,  though 
but  recently  introduced,  in  some  of  our 
streets,  at-  Eosedale,  and  many  other  places 
in  the  vicinity. 

PICEA,  Link. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceao.  Monoe- 
cia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Cones  erect,  cylin- 
drical ;  scales  not  thickened  at  the  tip.  Leaves 
more  entirely  2-rowed  than  in  dbies. 

1.  P.  BALSAMEA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  solitary, 
silvery  beneath,  about  a  half  inch  long,  some- 
what recurved.  Cones  violet-colored,  four 
inches  long,  a  half  inch  broad,  tapering  to- 
wards the  top.  Seed  about  half  the  size  of  the 
silver  fir. — Balsam  fir.  Native  of  the  Northern 
and  Middle  States. 

A  well  known  and  widely  cultivated  spe- 
cies. It  is  readily  distinguished  from  the 
silver  fir  by  the  cones,  and  easily  by  practice 
in  the  foliage  and  habit  of  the  tree.  It  is  a 
very  pretty  conical  tree  while  young,  but  be- 
coming very  meagre-looking  by  age,  unless 
in  a  very  deep  loam.  It  does  well  in  most 
soils,  or  situations  that  are  not  too  wet  or  stiff. 
The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  sixty-two  feet 


166  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

high,  and  three  feet  two  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  early  in  the 
spring  in  a  bed  of  sandy  loam  or  peat,  rather 
thinly,  and  but  slightly  covered  with  soil. 
They  will  appear  in  a  few  weeks.  When  two 
years  old,  they  may  be  removed  to  nursery- 
rows,  planted  about  eighteen  inches  apart. 

2.  P.  CEPHALONICA,  London.    Leaves  awl- 
shaped,  terminating  in  a  long,  sharp  prickle ; 
almost  sessile,  flat,  dark-green  above,  silvery 
beneath,  the  base  of  the  leaf  of  a  lighter  color 
than  the  rest  of  it. — Cephalonian  silver  fir. 

Growing  about  sixty  feet  high  in  its  native 
country.  The  largest  I  have  seen  near  Phila- 
delphia is  not  over  three.  It  seems  most  at 
home  in  a  cool  sandy  loam.  The  buds  of 
this  species  and  of  P.  pectinata,  are  very  apt 
to  be  destroyed  in  severe  winters,  while  the 
plants  are  young.  A  little  cotton  wrapt 
around  the  buds  of  the  leading  shoots  will  be 
a  sufficient  protection. 

3.  P.    FRAZEKI,    Pursh.      Leaves    short, 
crowded,  flat,  emarginate,  a   half  inch   long, 
silvery  beneath.     Cones  oblong  ovate,  bracts 
obcordate,  mucronate,  reflexed  outwards. — 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  167 

Double  Balsam  fir.     Middle  and  Southern 
States. 

This  is  allied  to  the  balsamea,  but  is  very 
distinct.  It  is  considerably  smaller  in  stature, 
in  a  wild  state  seldom  exceeding  ten  feet 
high,  though  in  a  state  of  cultivation  it  will 
often  double  or  treble  this.  It  thrives  well 
in  similar  situations  to  No.  1,  and  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  manner,  .y- 

4.  P.  KOBILIS,   Douglass.    Leaves   falcate, 
short,  acute,  silvery   beneath,  scarcely   one 
inch  long,  crowded.     Cones   erect,  six  and 
seven  inches  long,  and  three  inches  thick, 
ovate  cylindrical,  scales  broad,  bracts  broadly 
spathulate,  reflexed,  covering  the  scales. — 
Noble  fir.    North-west  coast. 

One  of  the  gigantic  pines  discovered  by 
Douglass.  It  is  considered  one  of  the  finest, 
as  it  certainly  is  one  of  the  prettiest — supe- 
rior, in  my  opinion,  to  the  Abies  Douglasii. 
Plants  in  Philadelphia  are  not  over  two  feet 
high. 

5.  P.  PECTINATA,  London.    Leaves  flat,  ob- 
tuse, with  the  points  turned  up,  exhibiting 
the  two  silvery  lines  running  lengthwise  with 
the  midrib  on  the  under  side.     Cones  in  the 


168  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

axils  of  the  branches,  large,  cylindrical, 
bluntly  pointed  at  both  ends,  about  six 
inches  long,  and  two  broad. — Silver  fir.  Na- 
tive of  Europe  and  Asia. 

In  a  deep  rich  loam,  and  a  sheltered  situa- 
tion, this  is  one  of  the  most  rapid  growing 
and  interesting  firs.  The  branches  usually 
grow  stiffly  horizontal,  and,  when  in  fruit, 
the  cones,  standing  so  rigidly  erect  on  the 
axils,  give  the  species  quite  an  unique  charac- 
ter. The  best  specimen  at  Bartram  is  ninety- 
five  feet  high  and  six  feet  in  circumference. 
In  Mr.  Pierce's  arboretum  there  are  also  some 
noble  specimens,  little,  if  any,  inferior  to 
these.  In  very  dry  soils  it  is  apt  to  die  out 
in  dry  summers,  and  at  any  rate  be  but  short- 
lived. It  may  be  propagated  as  No.  1,  but 
the  seeds  should  be  a  little  deeper  covered. 

6.  P.  PICHTA,  London,  is  generally  con- 
sidered as  only  a  variety  of  this,  with  the 
leaves  closer  set  on  the  branches,  and  not  so 
silvery  beneath.  Specimens  about  here  are 
not  6ver  two  feet  high. 

PINUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceaa. 
Monoecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male  catkins 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  169 

grouped.  Pollen  contained  in  2  cells,  formed 
in  the  scale  that  opens  lengthwise.  Female, 
ovules  2.  Strobile  ovately  conical  in  most 
species.  Carpels,  or  outer  scales,  thickened 
at  the  tip,  exceeding  the  bracteas  or  thin 
outer  scales  in  length,  and  concealing  them ; 
persistent.  Leaves  in  groups  of  two,  three,  or 
five,  each  group  arising  out  of  a  scaly  sheath. 
(From  London.) 

1.  P.  CEMBRA,    Linnczus.     Leaves   in   57sr 
sometimes  3,  with  three  ribs,  the  ribs  serrated, 
one  of  them  green  and  shining,  the  other  two 
white  and  opaque.     Buds  white  and  without 
resin.     Cones  about  three  inches  long  and 
two  and  a  half  broad. — Swiss  pine.     Native 
of  Switzerland  and  Siberia. 

Though  a  somewhat  old  and  well-known 
species,  it  has  not  become  common  amongst 
us. 

I  have  seen  no  large  specimens  around 
Philadelphia.  It  is  one  of  the  slowest  grow- 
ing kinds;  yet  when  large,  so  very  compact 
and  regularly  conical,  as  to  be  much  admired. 

The  plants  in  our  nurseries  are  imported 
chiefly  from  England. 

2.  P.  EXCELSA,  Lam bert.   Leaves- very  Iong7 

15 


170  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

in  57s,  slender,  loose,  3 -cornered,  5-7  inches 
long,  angles  very  finely  toothed.  Sheaths 
about  half  an  inch  long.  Cone  about  nine 
inches  long  and  two  broad,  with  a  footstalk 
one  inch  long. — Lofty  or  Bhotan  pine.  Na- 
tive of  Nepaul. 

Very  nearly  allied  to  the  white  pine.  It 
can  readily  be  distinguished  at  sight,  by  its 
pale  glaucous  green  hue,  and  longer,  finer, 
and  more  crowded  leaves. 

In  stiff  cold  soils  it  can  scarcely  be  con- 
sidered hardy ;  but  in  dry  sandy  soils,  and  in 
sheltered  situations,  not  too  much  exposed  to 
the  sun  in  winter,  it  is  perfectly  so. 

3.  P.  HALAPENSIS,  Alton.     Leaves  in   2's. 
Cones  ovate,  rounded  at  the  base,  nearly  the 
same  length  as  the  leaves,  with  blunt  scales. 
— Aleppo  pine.     Native  of  the  Levant. 

Not  a  very  lofty  growing  species,  but  with 
a  very  fine  green  and  dense  foliage.  This 
stands  out  in  the  garden  of  John  Evans, 
though  I  scarcely  think  it  will  prove  hardy 
in  most  situations  here. 

4.  P.  INOPS,  Alton.   Leaves  in  pairs.   Cones 
drooping,  oblong   conical,  longer   than   the 
leaves.     The  scales  awl-shaped,  with  promi- 


ft* 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  171 

nent  prickles.  Cone  two  and  three-quarters 
to  three  and  a  half  inches  long,  one  and  a 
half  wide,  sheaths  with  three  or  four  rings- 
— Jersey  pine. 

A  very  handsome  species,  though  of  some- 
what low  growth.  Its  branches  extend  far 
horizontally,  and  form  a  very  symmetrical 
round  head.  The  leaves  are  rather  fine,  and 
the  hue  of  the  foliage  not  so  dark  as  to  be 
obnoxious.  It  thrives  best  in  a  very  light 
sandy  loam,  and  will  do  well  in  any  soil  that 
is  not  stiff  or  wet.  The  finest  Bartram  speci- 
men is  sixty-two  feet  high  by  three  feet  in 
circumference. 

It  is  easily  propagated  from  seeds  sown  in 
the  spring  after  ripening.  They  will  grow 
if  two  or  three  years  old,  but  not  so  readily. 
Sow  thinly,  on  a  bed  of  sandy  loam  some- 
what cool  and  shaded,  covering  in  the  seed 
very  slightly,  just  enough  to  cover  them. 
They  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to  get  dry  at 
any  time.  The  following  spring  they  may 
be  put  out  into  rows  one  foot  apart,  to  re- 
main a  year  or  two.  After  that  they  should 
be  transplanted  to  double  that  distance.  They 


172  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

transplant  easily  any  time  after  being  grown 
in  this  manner. 

5.  P.  LAMBERTTANA,  Douglass.     Leaves  in 
5's,  a  little  rough ;  sheath  very  short.     Cones 
cylindrical,  twelve  to   sixteen  inches  long. 
Scales  loose,  spread  and  rounded  above. — 
Gigantic  pine.  Native  of  the  North-west  coast. 

This  is  said  often  to  grow  two  hundred 
feet  high,  and  to  be  as  hardy  as  the  white 
pine,  to  which  it  is  allied.  In  the  garden  of 
John  Evans,  it  thrives  admirably  in  a  cool 
sandy  loam.  When  the  nuts  can  be  obtained, 
they  may  be  sown  as  soon  as  received,  and 
raised  in  the  manner  of  the  araucaria  imbri- 
cata. 

6.  P.  MITIS,  Michaux.    Leaves  two,  some- 
times three  in  a  sheath,  long,  slender,  hollowed 
on  the  upper  surface.     Cones  small,  ovate, 
conical.     Scales   with    their    outer    surface 
slightly  prominent,  and  terminating  in  a  very 
small   slender    point,   bending    outwards. — 
Yellow  pine.     Northern  and  Middle  States. 

This  has  a  very  elegant  appearance.  The 
bluish  tinge  of  the  long  slender  foliage  is 
almost  peculiar  to  it.  The  Bartram  speci- 
men, on  a  dry  gravelly  soil,  with  a  rocky 


•pfc 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  173 


bottom,  is  ninety  feet  high,  and  four   feet 
eight  inches  in  circumference. 
Propagated  as  No.  4. 

7.  P.  PALUSTRIS,   Alton.     Leaves   in    3's, 
about  twelve  inches  long,  growing  in  tufts 
at  the  ends  of  the  branches.     Cones  nearly 
cylindrical,    covered    with    stiff   bristles. — 
Southern    swamp    pine.       Native    of    the 
Southern  States. 

A  rather  odd  looking  pine,  growing  about 
fifty  feet  high,  and  thriving  in  wet  swampy 
places.  There  is  a  small  specimen  in  the 
garden  of  John  Evans. 

8.  P.  PINASTER,  Aiton.     Leaves  two  in  a 
sheath,  four  to    six  inches  long,  somewhat 
rough  at  the  edge.     Cones  oblong,  three  to 
five  inches  long,  narrowed  at  the  base,  scales 
bristly. — Pinaster.     South  of  Europe. 

A  coarse,  free  growing  species,  very  hardy, 
round-headed,  will  thrive  almost  anywhere. 
These  are  its  best  recommendations.  It  is 
not  so  handsome  as  many  others. 

Propagated  as  No.  4. 

P.  Maritima  is  a  variety  of  this. 

9.  P.  PINE  A,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in  2's,  earlier 
ones  ciliate.     Cones  ovate,  obtuse,  without 

15* 


174  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

prickles,  longer  than  the  leaves.     Nuts  large. 
— Italian  stone  pine. 

One  of  the  most  useful  as  well  as  hand- 
some of  the  tribe.  No  soil  is  too  loose  or  too 
barren  for  it  to  thrive  in,  nor  any  situation 
too  bleak  or  exposed.  The  seeds  (which  are 
four  years  coming  to  perfection  with  the 
cone)  may  be  sown  singly,  as  recommended 
for  the  araucaria  or  No.  5. 

10.  P.  PONDEROSA,    Douglass.     Leaves   in 
3's,  nine  to  eleven  inches  long,  flexible,  tor- 
tuous.   Sheaths  short.    Cones  ovate,  reflexed, 
with  the  ends  of  the  scales  flattened,  with  a 
raised  process  in  the  middle. — Heavy  wooded 
pine.     Native  of  the  North-west  coast. 

Said  to  grow  from  fifty  to  eighty  feet  high 
in  its  native  country.  Plants  in  this  vicinity 
are  not  over  three  feet  high,  but  it  promises 
to  be  a  rapid  and  strong  grower.  Our  plants 
are  imported  from  Europe ;  but  where  seed 
can  be  obtained,  they  may  be  treated  as  No.  5. 

11.  P.  PUMILIO,  Hoenke.    Branches   gene- 
rally bent  down.     Leaves  short,  stiff,  a  little 
twisted,  thickly  distributed  over  the  branches, 
with  long,  lacerated,  woolly,  white   sheaths. 
Cones,  when  young,   erect;   older  growing 


• 

i. 

•     "1WR''"'  •         *" 
OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  175 

outwards,  one  and  a  half  to  two  inches  long, 
one  inch  broad.  Scales  and  seeds  small.  — 
Dwarf  pine.  Native  of  the  mountains  of 
Europe. 

It  is  said  to  grow  not  more  than  twenty 
feet  high  in  its  native  country.  It  will  pro- 
bably exceed  that  here.  It  is  a  very  distinct 
looking  kind.  It  will  thrive  in  any  light 
loam,  provided  it  is  not  in  a  situation  exposed 
to  our  hot  sun.  It  is  easily  raised  from  seed, 
like  No.  4.  The  plants  in  our  nurseries  are 
generally  imported  in  pots,  and  if  kept  too 
long  in  them  seldom  do  well.  In  all  such 
cases,  the  roots  should  be  uncoiled  and  spread 
out  in  planting. 

12.  P.  RIGIDA,  Miller.  Leaves  in  37s,  three 
and  a  half  to  four  inches  long.  Cones  ovate 
oblong,  two  to  three  inches  long,  about 
one  and  a  half  broad,  their  scales  terminated 
by  a  rough  thorny  point.  —  Pitch  pine.  Na- 
tive of  the  United  States. 

Growing  by  itself,  this  is  remarkable  for 
the  irregularity  and  number  of  its  branches. 
They  are  usually  spreading,  covered  by  foliage 
of  the  darkest  green.  It  will  grow  in  any 
soil,  from  the  dryest  to  those  frequently 


, 


176  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

inundated ;  a  moist  sandy  loam  seems  to  suit 
it  best.  A  specimen  at  Bartram  growing  on 
a  rock,  with  very  little  soil,  is  fifty -four  feet 
high  and  four  feet  six  inches  in  circumference. 

It  may  be  propagated  like  No.  4. 

13.  P.  STROBUS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in  57s, 
slender,  without  sheaths,  three  to  four  inches 
long,  straight,  soft,  and  3 -cornered.  Cone 
long,  cylindrical,  pendulous,  with  the  scales 
not  thickened  at  the  apex. — White  pine.  Na- 
tive of  the  United  States. 

A  well-known  species  of  the  highest  utility 
in  landscape  gardening.  When  not  crowded 
by  others  it  is  highly  ornamental,  producing 
branches  regularly  from  the  ground,  and 
forming  a  symmetrical  figure.  When  young, 
it  is  not  so  handsome  to  most  tastes ;  but  that 
gives  it  an  advantage  that  always  pleases,  of 
improving  in  appearance  as  it  grows.  The 
bluish  tinge  it  possesses  removes  the  objec- 
tions made  to  many  of  the  tribe  on  account 
of  their  funereal  hues.  The  finest  -Bartram 
specimen  is  one  hundred  and  eighteen  feet 
high  and  Seven  feet  three  inches  in  circum- 
ference. There  are  also  some  splendid  speci- 
mens in  the  large  avenue  in  Piercers  arbore- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  177 

turn,  which,  though  only  planted  in  the  year 
1800,  now  average  seven  and  a  half  feet  in 
circumference,  and  are  between  ninety  and 
one  hundred  feet  high,  to  all  appearance.  It 
prefers  a  rich,  yet  loose  and  dry  loam,  on  a 
gravelly  or  rocky  subsoil.  It  will  do  pretty 
well  in  heavy  loam,  but  in  cold,  clayey,  wet 
soils  the  white  pine  is  decidedly  not  at  home. 

It  may  be  propagated  as  No.  4. 

14.  P.  SYLVESTRIS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  rigid, 
in  pairs,  one  and  a  half  to  three  inches  long, 
somewhat  waved  and  twisted,  slightly  con- 
cave on  the  upper,  and  convex  on  the  lower 
surface,  finely  serrated  on  the  edges.  Cones 
from  two  to  three  inches  long,  and  from  one 
to  one  and  a  quarter  broad. — Scotch  pine. 
Native  of  the  mountains  of  Europe. 

By  no  means  so  handsome  as  many  others, 
but  in  this  country  we  have  no  evergreens  to 
spare.  Still,  it  is  highly  appropriate  to  many 
situations,  where  few  similar  trees  would  grow. 
Its  dark  hue,  and,  when  mature,  stiff  compact 
habit,  render  it  well  fitted  for  cold  looking, 
rugged  scenery.  If  not  crowded  by  other 
trees,  it  does  not  become  so  naked  on  the 
trunk,  or  so  flat-headed  as  it  is  usually  seen 


178  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

or  supposed  to  be,  and  is  then  more  symme- 
trical and  more  beautiful.  A  specimen  at 
Bartram  slightly  varying  from  the  true  form, 
is  thirty-five  feet  high,  and  three  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. It  delights  in  a  dry  deep  loam, 
and  in  somewhat  elevated  situations.  It 
will  do  pretty  well  in  any  gravelly  or  dry 
peaty  soils,  but  little  good  in  any  that  are 
wet. 

May  also  be  propagated  as  No.  4. 

15.  P.  TJEDA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in  threes. 
Cones  oblong,  conical,  shorter  than  the 
leaves,  growing  in  clusters;  scales  with 
rough  prickles. — Frankincense  pine.  Native 
of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

Somewhat  in  the  way  of  the  last,  but  rea- 
dily distinguished  by  the  number  of  its 
leaves  in  the  sheaths,  as  well  as  by  its  other 
characters.  It  reaches  a  good  height,  and 
thrives  pretty  well  in  most  soils  that  are  not 
wet.  Plants  are  scarce  in  our  district,  but 
one  exists  in  the  collection  of  John  Evans. 

PLATANUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Platana- 
cea3.  Moncecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male 
flowers  in  globular  heads.  Corolla  very 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  179 

small.  Anthers  growing  round  the  filament. 
Female  flowers  with  a  many-petalled  corolla. 
Style  with  a  recurved  stigma.  Seeds  round- 
ish-clavate,  mucronate,  with  a  persistent  style, 
invested  with  pappus-like  hairs  at  the  base. 

1.  P.  OCCIDENT ALIS,  Linnceus.  Leaves 
roundish-pentangular,  slightly  palmate,do  wny 
beneath. — American  buttonwood. 

This  tree  was  formerly  in  much  demand 
for  its  shade;  latterly  (suffering  from  late 
frosts,  probably)  it  has  fallen  into  disrepute 
from  its  unhealthiness.  I  believe  it  carries 
the  disease  with  it  even  to  other  countries. 
In  landscape  gardening  it  can  only  be  em- 
ployed effectively  as  a  single  specimen.  It 
does  not  harmonize  well  with  other  trees. 
By  itself,  its  magnificent  proportions,  its 
broad-spreading  habit  and  large  ample  foli- 
age, challenge  admiration.  It  will  do  well  in 
any  situation,  but  prefers  one  inclining  to 
moisture.  A  specimen  at  Bartram  is  ninety- 
five  feet  high  and  six  feet  in  circumference. 
May  be  propagated  from  seed  sown  as  soon 
as  ripe*  in  a  moist  yet  light  soil,  covering 

*  Emerson  recommends  to  soak  the  seed  twenty-four 
hours  before  sowing  in  the  spring. 


180  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

them  very  slightly  with  the  earth.  They 
may  stay  two  years  in  the  seed-bed  before 
transplanting,  after  which  they  will  make 
rapid  growth,  and  may  be  safely  removed 
any  time  after.  With  care,  cuttings  will 
grow  pretty  well.  The  young  but  well- 
ripened  wood  is  taken  off  early  in  the  win- 
ter, laid  in  "by  the  heels"  in  any  sheltered 
spot,  and  put  out  in  rows  in  a  warm  border 
very  early  in  spring.  Layers  succeed  well 
put  down  in  July,  or  as  soon  as  the  wood 
seems  perfectly  ripe. 

2.  P.  ORIENTALIS,  Linnceus.  Nerves  of 
the  leaves  smoothish  beneath.  Lobes  more 
palmate  than  in  No.  1. — English  buttonwood. 

Seldom  makes  so  large  a  tree  as  the  other, 
but  is  free  from  its  disease.  It  is  a  week 
later  in  putting  forth,  which  may  be  one 
reason  for  its  healthiness.  It  will  grow  well 
in  dryer  situations  than  the  last.  A  speci- 
men at  Bartrarn  measures  eighty  feet  high 
and  four  feet  in  circumference. 

POPULUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  SalicaceaB. 
Dioecia,  Octandria,  Linn.  Calyx  of  the  male, 
the  flat  scale  of  the  catkin  torn  at  the  edge. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  181 

Corolla  turbinate,  oblique,  entire.  Female, 
stigma  4-cleft.  Capsule  2-celled,  many-seeded, 
bristly. 

1.  P.  ALBA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  lobed,  tooth- 
ed, white  beneath;  lobes  acute,  flat.  Stig- 
mas four. — Abele;  white  poplar.  Native  of 
Britain. 

A  tree  formerly  very  popular,  on  account 
of  its  rapid  growth  and  lively  foliage,  but 
which  planters  now  often  wish  back  again 
to  its  native  country,  because  of  its  great 
propensity  to  throw  up  suckers ;  still,  where 
this  is  not  objectionable,  as  in  towns  as 
street-trees,  it  will  often  be  desirable.  The 
whole  of  the  poplar  tribe  has  strong  claims 
to  be  distinguished  in  a  catalogue  of  street- 
trees  ;  few  things  bearing  the  smoke  and  dirt 
better.  This  species  grows  lofty  and  some- 
what conical,  with  a  gray  bark ;  and,  with  its 
two-colored  leaves,  bears  a  good  character 
for  beauty. 

Pieces  of  the  two-year  old  wood,  cut  into 
three  to  four  inch  pieces,  and  planted  nearly 
their  whole  length  in  a  rather  moist  and 
shaded  spot,  very  early  in  spring,  grow  like 
willows. 
16 


182  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

2.  P.  ANGULATA,  Aiton.  Shoots  angular. 
Leaves  heart-shaped,  tapering  at  the  point, 
very  large,  and  with  fine  serratures.— Cot- 
tonwood  poplar.  Native  of  the  Western 
States.  . 

One  of  the  most  ornamental  of  poplars.  It 
is  of  very  rapid  growth,  and,  when  full  grown, 
is  round-headed  and  spreading.  The  leaves 
are  very  large  and  glossy,  and,  the  petioles 
being:  very  flat,  possess  an  aspen  character. 
The  light  and  shade  from  the  leaves,  as  they 
are  moved  by  every  little  breeze,  gives  the 
tree  a  playfully  pleasing  appearance.  It 
does  not  do  well  in  very  dry  situations,  but 
has  no  decided  objections  to  others.  It  may 
be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

The  finest  specimen  I  have  seen,  probably 
eight  feet  in  circumference,  stands  by  the 
road-side  near  old  Humphrey  Marshall's  gar- 
den. 

3.  P.  BALSAMIFERA,  Linnceus.  Shoots 
round.  Buds  very  gummy.  Leaves  ovate- 
acuminate,  serrate,  whitish  beneath;  petioles 
round. — Balsam  poplar.  :  '*!;: 

Very  short-lived  in  dry  soils.  It  prefers 
those  that  are  deep,  moist,  and  rich.  It  is 


OF  OKNAMENTAL  TREES.  183 

somewhat  inclined  to  throw  up  suckers  in 
dry  soils.     May  be  propagated  as  No.  1. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  is  seventy  feet 
high  and  four  and  a  half  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. 

4.  P.CANAPENSiSjMc&ame.  Young  branches 
angled.     Leaves  cordately  ovate,  tapering  to 
a  point,  finely  and  rather  unequally  toothed ; 
petioles  compressed;   buds   gummy. — Cana- 
dian poplar.     Native  of  the  Northern  States. 

It  frequently  grows  to  eighty  or  ninety 
feet  high,  and  is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in 
any  collection.  In  soils  similar  to  the  last. 

5.  P.  CANDICANS,  Aiton.     Shoots   round. 
Buds  very  gummy.    Leaves  heart-shaped  at 
the  base,  ovate-acuminate ;  petiole  flattened 
in  the  upper  part,  frequently  hairy. — Onta- 
rio poplar ;  balsam  poplar  of  the  Northern 
States. 

It  is  in  every  way  a  larger  and  a  finer 
tree  than  the  true  balsam,  and  is  readily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  leaves. 

6.  P.  CANESCENS,  Smith.  Leaves  roundish, 
very  slightly  lobed,  toothed.     Stigmas  eight. 
—Gray  poplar.     Native  of  England. 

By  many  considered  a  variety  of  the  abele. 


184  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

A  fine  young  specimen  at  Bartram  is  about 
fifty  feet  high  and  eighteen  inches  in  diame- 
ter. 

7.  P.  DILITATA,  Alton.    Leaves  smooth  on 
both  sides,   acuminate,   serrate,  wider  than 
their   length. — Lombardy  poplar.     A  well- 
known  and  formerly  very  popular  tree,  on 
account  of  its  easy  and  rapid  growth,  and 
singular   fastigiate  appearance.     Though  in 
little  demand   at   present,   there   are  many 
situations  in  which  it  is  singularly  effective — 
as  where  horizontal  lines  prevail,  or  highly 
artificial  scenery.    In  the  fall,  the  leaves  turn 
to  a  rich  golden  yellow  hue,  equalled  by  few 
other  trees.     They  also  remain  on  to  a  late 
period  of  the  season. 

Propagated  as  No.  1. 

8.  P.  GBJECA,  Aiton.   Leaves  cordate,  ovate, 
acuminate,  serrate,  serratures  somewhat  claw- 
ed, glandular  at  the  base,  petioles  compressed. 
— Athenian   poplar.     Native  of  the  islands 
in  the  South  of  Europe. 

An  irregular,  somewhat  spreading-headed 
tree,  growing  often  to  fifty  feet  high.  In 
Europe,  this  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  P. 
heterophylla,  Linn&us,  which  may  have  given 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  185 

rise  to  the  idea  that  it  is  also  a  native  of  the 
United  States. 

9.  P.  GRANDIDENTATA,   Michaux.    Leaves 
downy  when  young,  afterwards  smooth  on 
both  surfaces.     Sinuately  toothed,  with  large 
unequal  teeth. — Large  American  aspen.    Na- 
tive of  the  Northern  States. 

A  very  fine  tree  when  in  a  rather  moist 
situation,  and  unsurrounded  by  other  trees. 
It  is  not  too  troublesome  by  suckering,  as 
some  of  the  others  are.  •  The  best  specimen 
at  Bartram  is  sixty -two  feet  highland  three 
feet  two  inches  in  circumference. 

10.  P.  TREMULOIDES,   Michaux.     Leaves 
roundish,  heart-shaped,  shortly  pointed,  slight- 
ly toothed.     Bracts  deeply  3-4-lobed,  lobes 
linear. — American  aspen. 

This,  in  moist,  somewhat  shaded  situations 
and  not  too  much  crowded,  is  an  ornamental 
round-headed  tree,  and  though  not  so  pretty 
as  the  European,  has  its  leaves  shaken,  like 
it,  by  every  playful  breeze. 

PRUNUS,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Drupacete. 
Icosandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.    Nut  ovate  or 
16* 


186  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

oblong,  flattened,  sharp  at  both  ends,  furrowed 
at  the  edges,  smooth  in  the  other  parts. 

1.  P.  AMERICANA,  Marshall   Branches  sub- 
spinose.   Leaves  oval  and  obovate,  acuminate, 
sharply  and  often  doubly  serrate.     Umbels 
nearly  sessile,  2-5 -flowered. — American  red 
plum. 

A  small  round-headed  tree,  usually  grow- 
ing but  fifteen  feet  high.  Near  the  door  of 
Marshall's  old  house  is  a  specimen,  probably 
of  his  own  planting.  The  Bartram  specimen 
is  much  finer,  being  about  thirty  feet  high 
and  two  feet  six  inches  in  circumference. 

It  is  propagated  by  seed ;  or  more  speedily 
by  layers.  A  stool  should  be  kept  for  this 
purpose ;  that  is,  a  tree  should  be  cut  down 
to  nearly  the  ground,  which  will  throw  out 
an  abundance  of  shoots.  These,  which  will 
be  fit  for  layering  about  June,  should  be  each 
gently  twisted,  and  earth  placed  around  the 
whole  until  the  twisted  part  of  the  shoots  are 
covered.  The  spring  following,  these  being 
well  rooted,  may  be  taken  off  as  plants. 

2.  P.   MARITIMA,     Wangenheim.      Leaves 
lanceolate,  ovate,  serrate.     Flowers  in  pairs. 
Fruit  small,  round,  sweet,  dark  blue. — Sea- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  187 

side    plum.      Native    of   the   Eastern    and 
Southern  States. 

Naturally  but  a  shrub,  but  becoming  a 
very  ornamental  small  tree  when  budded  on 
the  P.  Americana.  It  is  rather  scarce  in  culti- 
vation. There  is  a  specimen  in  the  garden 
of  John  Evans,  at  Eadnor. 

PTELEA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Xanthoxy- 
laceae.  Monoecia,  Tetra-Pentandria,  Linn. 
Calyx  4-5-parted.  Fruit  compressed,  of  2- 
3-cells.  Cells  1-seeded,  each  cell  expanded 
into  a  rounded  netted  wing. 

1.  P.  TRIFOLIATA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  in  3's. 
— Native  of  most  of  the  Middle  States. 

A  small  tree,  possessing  no  particular 
beauty  to  recommend  it.  When  in  fruit  it  is 
curious.  It  has  the  advantage  of  thriving  in 
the  deepest  shade,  especially  if  in  a  rather 
moist  soil. 

It  can  be  readily  propagated  by  cuttings, 
layers,  or  seeds. 

The  Bartram  specimens  grow  about  ten 
feet  high. 


188  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

PYRUS,  Linnceus.—Nat.  Ord.  Pomaceae. 
Icosandria,  Pentagynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5-cleft. 
Petals  5.  Fruit  a  5-celled,  many  seeded 
apple. 

1.  P.  ARIA.,  Smith.    Leaves  ovate,  cut  and 
serrated,  white  and  downy  beneath.     Flowers 
corymbose.     Fruit  globose.— White   beam. 
Native  of  Britain.     Flowering  in  June. 

At  a  distance,  has  much  the  appearance  of 
a  mulberry  tree.  The  downy  under  surface 
makes  a  fine  contrast  to  the  deep  green  of 
the  upper.  It  thrives  best  in  a  limestone 
soil,  where  it  frequently  reaches  fifty  feet 
high,  but  it  will  do  well  in  any  firm  loam  in 
an  open  situation.  It  varies  much  in  foliage, 
sometimes  being  quite  pinnatifid.  The  P. 
pinnatifida,  Ehr.,  and  P.  hybrida  (Sorbus), 
Linn.,  are  now  considered  varieties  of  this. 
It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds  sown  as  soon 
as  they  are  ripe  in  a  box,  or  protected  situa- 
tion ;  or  by  budding  on  the  mountain  ash.  The 
latter  mode  is  the  commonest,  but  such  trees 
are  not  near  so  desirable,  as  those  on  their 
own  roots. 

2.  P.  AUCUPARIA,    Gcertner.    Leaves   pin- 
nated, glabrous,  leaflets  serrated.     Flowers 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  189 

corymbose.  Fruit  globose,  small,  red. — 
Mountain  ash;  Eowan.  Native  of  the  moun- 
tains of  Europe.  Flowers  in  May. 

This  beautiful  tree  grows  about  thirty  feet 
high,  and  has  the  round-headed  spreading  habit 
of  the  apple,  with  the  foliage  of  an  ash.  Its 
clusters  of  white  flowers,  followed  by  red  ber- 
ries, are  its  chief  attraction.  It  thrives  best 
in  a  loose  dry  soil,  in  a  situation  somewhat 
shaded.  The  P.  Americana,  Dec.,  is  consider- 
ed to  be  a  variety  of  this.  It  is  propagated 
as  the  last.  Sometimes  they  will  not  appear 
the  first  year,  unless  the  seed  has  been  thrown 
in  a  heap  to  ferment  previously. 

There  is  a  specimen  at  Bartram  forty-five 
feet  high  and  three  feet  in  circumference. 

3.  P.  BACCATA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  equally 
serrulated.  Peduncles  clustered.  Fruit  small 
and  berry -like.  Calyx  deciduous. — Cherry 
apple.  Native  of  Siberia. 

A  small  tree,  seldom  exceeding  twenty  feet 
high,  but  very  popular  on  account  of  the  pro- 
fusion of  its  red  cherry-like  fruit. 

3.  P.  CORONARIA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
slightly  heart-shaped  at  the  base,  sharply 
serrate  or  nearly  lobed,  smoothish.  Pedun- 


190  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

cles  corymbose,  smooth. — Sw.eet-scented  crab. 
Native  of  the  Middle  and  "Western  States. 

A  small  bushy -headed  tree,  growing  about 
fifteen  feet  high,  and  valued  chiefly  for  its 
pale-red,  sweet-scented  flowers,  which  appear 
in  May.  Scarce  in  cultivation,  but  growing 
in  the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

4.  P.  DOMESTICA,  Smith.    Leaves  pinnate, 
villose  underneath.  Leaflets  serrate.   Flowers 
panicled.    Fruit  obovate. — True  service-tree ; 
Sorbus.     Native  of  Britain. 

Resembling  the  Rowan,  but  is  in  every  way 
a  more  vigorous  grower.  The  branches  are 
stouter,  the  leaves  larger  and  coarser,  and 
the  fruit  like  a  small  crab-apple,  full  an  inch 
in  length. 

5.  P.  NIVALIS,  Linnceus.     Leaves  quite  en- 
tire.  Flowers  in  corymbs.   Fruit  globular. — 
Snowy-leaved  pyrus.   Native  of  mountains  of 
Austria. 

A  shrub,  ranking  only  as  a  tree  when 
grafted  on  the  larger  kinds.  Growing  in  the 
garden  of  John  Evans. 

.    6.    P.   PRUNIFOLIA,    Willdenow.      Leaves 
ovate  acuminate.     Flower-stalks   pubescent. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  191 

Styles  woolly  at  the  base. — Plum-leaved  Sibe- 
rian crab. 

Cultivated  chiefly  for  its  early,  pear  blos- 
som-like flowers,  yellowish-red  fruit,  and  its 
extreme  hardiness.  The  Bartram  specimen 
is  about  fifteen  feet  high. 

7.  P.  SPECTABILIS,  Aiton.     Leaves  oval-ob- 
long, serrate,  even.     Claws   of  the   corolla 
longer  than  the  calyx.     Styles  woolly  at  the 
base. — Double   flowering  apple.     Native  of 
China. 

The  most  ornamental  flowering  one  of  the 
tribe.  It  reaches  about  twenty -five  or  thirty 
feet  high,  and  has  more  the  appearance  of  the 
common  apple  than  any  other  species.  It 
does  best  in  a  deep,  rich,  loamy  soil,  and  is 
propagated  by  grafting  or  budding  on  the 
ordinary  kind.  Specimens  in  our  vicinity 
are  not  over  fifteen  feet  high. 

8.  P.  TORMINALIS,  Smith.    Leaves  ovate  or 
cordate,    lobed,   and    serrate;    lower    lobes 
spreading.     Peduncles  corymbose. —  Wild 
service-tree,    England. 

A  handsome  species,  growing  about  fifty 
feet  high.     It  prefers  a  limestone  soil,  but 
do  pretty  well  in  a  strong  rich  loam.    It 


192  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

is  rather  scarce.     There  is  a  specimen  in  the 
garden  of  John  Evans. 

QUERCUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Corylacese. 
Monoecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Male  catkins 
with  flowers  haying  a  5 -cleft  calyx,  with  4- 
10  stamens,  and  no  corolla.  Female  flowers; 
calyx  an  involucre  composed  of  numerous 
scales  united  into  a  cup.  Fruit,  an  acorn. 

1.  Q.  ALBA,  Linnmus.  Leaves  obovate-ob- 
long,  nearly  equally  pinnatifid  sinuate,  shining 
green  above,  a  little  whitish  beneath.  Cup 
hemispherical.  Nut  ovate  or  oblong. — 
White-oak.  Native  of  United  States. 

All  the  oaks  are  amongst  the  most  useful 
trees  in  landscape  gardening.  They  possess 
a  great  variety  of  forms  and  modes  of 
growth;  different  colors,  shades,  and  hues; 
and  are  adapted,  some  one  or  other  of  them, 
to  every  difference  of  soil,  situation,  and 
aspect.  They  are  usually  considered  of  slow 
growth,  but  when  under  favorable  circum- 
stances, soon  attain  a  large  size.  A  magnifi- 
cent avenue  of  them,  on  the  fine  estate 
owned  by  Alexander  Brown,  Esq.,  on  the 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  193 

Delaware,  planted  since  the  Bevolution,* 
show  what  they  can  do  in  a  short  time ;  and 
a  small  and  thriving  one  at  Bartram,  fourteen 
years  planted,  contain  some  above  forty  feet 
high.  This  species  is  one  of  the  handsomest, 
whether  considered  with  regard  to  its  noble 
size,  its  beautiful  form,  its  peculiar  elegant 
leaves,  both  in  outline  and  hue,  or  its  fre- 
quently grotesquely-twisted  branches.  Sin- 
gly, in  the  landscape,  I  know  of  no  other 
tree  that  can  be  compared  with  it.  I  would 
desire  to  see  no  better  emulation  in  garden- 
ing than  in  a  desire  to  possess  the  best  white- 
oak.  The  grounds  of  Bartram  and  Spring- 
brook  are  equally  enriched  in  this  respect ; 
the  former  having  one  eighty-five  feet  high 
by  thirteen  feet  in  circumference,  and  Mr. 

*  In  reference  to  this  avenue,  Mr.  Cope  has  kindly 
obtained  for  me  the  following  information  from  Mr.  Sa- 
muel Breck:  "This  estate  was  purchased  by  my  father 
about  1796.  The  only  access  to  it  was  by  a  lane  on  the 
east  side,  that  goes  down  to  the  Delaware.  This  being 
a  roundabout  way,  he  purchased  an  outlet  on  the  turn- 
pike ;  and,  having  considerable  taste  for  rural  adornment, 
planted  and  arranged  the  avenue,  aided  and  assisted  by 
Frederick  Pursh,  then  in  his  employ  (who  was  also  gar- 
dener to  W.  Hamilton,  at  the  Woodlands),  in  1797." 

17 


194  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Cope's  measuring  seventy-two  feet  high  by 
twelve  feet  in  circumference.  It  varies  very 
much  in  the  lobing  of  the  leaves.  In  dense 
woods,  the  leaves  are  merely  sinuated;  in 
open,  exposed  situations,  they  are  very 
deeply  lobed,  nearly  pinnatifid.  Very  com- 
monly, though  not  always,  the  bark  is  scaly, 
like  the  shellbark-hickory.  In  the  fall  of  the 
year,  the  leaves  turn  to  a  deep  reddish-brown ; 
in  young  trees  often  staying  on  till  spring. 
It  thrives  best  in  dry  loams  contiguous  to 
streams  or  moisture.  All  the  species  are 
easily  raised  from  seed  sown  as  soon  as 
ripe,  and  the  best  trees  are  raised  from  the 
youngest  plants  that  find  an  early  permanent 
situation. 

2.  Q.  AQUATICA,  Walter.    Leaves  somewhat 
wedge-shaped,  narrowed  at  the  base,  lobed, 
smooth. — Water-oak. 

Somewhat  allied  to  the  Black-Jack,  but 
often  growing  fifty  feet  high.  It  varies  very 
much  in  its  foliage.  The  best  soil  for  it  is  a 
sandy  loam  contiguous  to  moisture.  It  is 
rather  scarce  in  cultivation.  There  is  a  spe- 
cimen in  the  garden  of  John  Evans. 

3.  Q.  BALLOTA,  Desfontaines.    Leaves  ever- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  195 

green,  elliptic,  toothed  or  entire,  downy  be- 
neath.    Acorn  very  long. — Barbary-oak. 

This  is  a  fine  tree,  sixty  feet  high  in  its 
native  country.  It  will  probably  not  stand 
out  here  in  situations  exposed  much  to  the 
sun  in  winter,  or  little  sheltered ;  but  I  be- 
lieve it  does  pretty  well  in  the  garden  of  my 
friend  Evans. 

4.  Q.  BICOLOR,  Willdenow.    Leaves  oblong- 
ovate,  acute,  softly  downy  beneath,  coarsely 
and  unequally  dentate,  the  teeth  rather  acute. 
Fruit  on  long  peduncles;  cup  hemispherical; 
nut  ovoid-oblong. — Swamp  white-oak. 

Seldom  exceeding  fifty  feet.  Has  a  very 
pretty,  regularly  spreading,  large  head,  fre- 
quently larger,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of 
the  trunk,  than  any  other  species.  The  bark 
is  slightly  scaly.  It  thrives  best  in  a  low 
situation  and  moist  soil.  The  best  Bartram 
specimen  is  sixty  feet  high,  with  a  head 
about  forty  feet  in  diameter. 

5.  Q.  CASTANEA,  Willdenow.     Leaves  ob- 
long, lanceolate,  acuminate,  pubescent,  and 
of  a  pale  gray  beneath,  nearly  equally  tooth- 
ed, the  teeth  rather  sharp.     Cup  hemispheri- 
cal.    Nut  roundish. — Chestnut-oak. 


196  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

The  resemblance  of  this  to  a  chestnut-tree 
is  striking,  not  only  in  its  foliage,  but  also 
in  the  color  and  appearance  of  the  bark,  and 
in  its  general  habit  and  appearance.  It 
thrives  best  in  rich  soil,  and  in  elevated 
situations.  It  does  not  do  well  in  tenacious 
clays.  In  dry,  gravelly  soils,  I  have  seen  it 
do  pretty  well.  The  best  Bartram  specimen, 
a  young  6ne,  is  thirty -feet  high. 

6.  Q.  CERRIS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  sinuate, 
pinnatifid,  pubescent  beneath.  Cup  covered 
with  branching  bristles. — Turkey  oak.  Na- 
tive of  the  south  of  Europe. 

In  England,  this  is  a  very  pretty  round- 
headed  tree.  Here  it  takes  a  more  pyrami- 
dal form,  with  a  tendency  to  extend  its 
branches  far  horizontally.  The  leaves  have 
a  peculiar,  curled,  and  cut  appearance,  giving 
the  tree  quite  a  "  distinction  with  a  differ- 
ence" amongst  its  fellow  oaks.  There  are 
many  fine  varieties,  but  few  of  them  intro- 
duced here.  The  leaves  of  our  species  stay 
on  green  till  near  Christmas,  and  remain  on 
till  the  bursting  of  the  buds  the  following 
spring.  It  thrives  best  in  a  loose,  shady 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  197 

loam,   that    does   not    get    hot   or    dry  in 
summer. 

It  is  propagated  by  seeds,  or,  most  com- 
monly, by  grafting  on  the  other  species. 

7.  Q.  COCCINEA,  Wangenheim.     Leaves  on 
long  petioles,  oblong,  deeply  sinuate  lobed, 
smooth;  the  lobes  divaricate,  toothed.     Cup 
nearly  top-shaped,  conspicuously  scaly.   Nut, 
roundish-ovate. — Scarlet-oak. 

I  consider  few  oaks  superior  to  this  in 
beauty.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  it  bears  off 
the  palm.  Its  leaves  then  become  red,  fre- 
quently reaching  a  fine  scarlet.  It  averages 
fifty  feet  high,  though  some  are  occasionally 
found  nearly  doubling  that  height.  It  is 
rather  an  irregular  grower,  when  old  often 
inclining  to  become  flat-headed.  Its  long 
leafstalks  permit  an  easy  motion  of  the 
leaves  with  every  summer  breeze,  and  gives 
motion  as  an  additional  attraction  to  the 
beauties  of  its  autumnal  foliage.  It  thrives 
best  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  inclining  to  moisture. 

8.  Q.  FALCATA,  Walter.    Leaves  downy  be- 
neath, sinuated,  with  three  or  four  somewhat 
sickle-shaped,  bristle-pointed  lobes,  the  ter- 
minal one  elongated  and  jagged.   Fruit  small. 

17* 


198  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Calyx  hemispherical.  Acorn  of  a  bright 
orange  color  inside. — Spanish  red-oak.  Na- 
tive of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

A  tree  with  very  variably  shaped  leaves, 
and  yet  with  such  a  constant  rusty,  downy 
peculiarity  as  renders  it  at  all  times  easily 
recognized.  It  grows  to  a  large  size,  but 
seldom  forms  a  regular  or  picturesque  head. 
Its  foliage  is  the  chief  point  of  interest  that 
renders  it  attractive.  It  delights  in  a  rich 
and  rather  dry  loam.  The  Bartram  speci- 
men is  a  young  tree  of  forty  feet  high  by 
three  and  a  half  in  circumference. 

9.  Q.  HETEROPHYLLA,  Pursh.  Leaves  on 
rather  long  petioles,  ovate-lanceolate,  oblong, 
entire,  frequently  with  large  irregular  teeth. 
— Bartram  oak. 

Partaking  of  the  characters  of  Q.  Phellos, 
and  Q.  imbrwaria,  and  supposed  by  many  to 
be  a  hybrid  between  them.  I  cannot  sub- 
scribe to  this  opinion;  firstly,  because  I  can- 
not learn  that  flowering  plants  of  Q.  imbri- 
caria  ever  existed  in  Bartram,  and  secondly, 
because  seedlings  of  the  phellos  show  no  ten- 
dency to  vary,  and  seedlings  of  Q.  Tieteropliylla 
have  more  or  less  the  characters  of  the  origi- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  199 

nal.  The  tree  from  which  Pursh  drew  up 
his  description,  was  privately  destroyed  by 
some  of  Mr.  Hamilton's  gardeners  (as  I  have 
been  informed  by  Col.  Carr),  because  it  inter- 
fered with  a  view  of  the  Schuylkill  from  the 
Woodlands.  A  seedling  from  this  tree  at 
Bartram  is  seventy  feet  high  and  six  feet  in 
circumference.  The  leaves  of  this  are  con- 
siderably narrower  than  those  of  another  tree 
at  Marshall's  garden ;  making  it  appear,  with- 
out examination,  like  a  willow  oak.  Marshall's 
specimen,  on  the  other  hand,  has  its  leaves 
much  resembling  those  of  a  Q.  imbricaria^ 
Michaux,  which  is  growing  beside  it  with  a 
trunk  seven  feet  three  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence, and  probably  ninety  feet  high.  The 
leaves  of  this  latter  are  broader  and  shorter 
than  either  the  Bartram  or  the  willow  oak. 

10.  Q.  LYRATA,  Walter.  Leaves  subsessile, 
glabrous,  lyrately  sinuated,  much  contracted 
in  the  middle,  attenuated  at  the  base,  and 
dilated  at  the  summit.  Cup  globular,  rough, 
and  almost  covering  the  acorn. — Lyrate  oak. 
Water  white-oak.  Native  of  the  Southern 
States. 

This,  though  perfectly  hardy  at  Bartram, 


200  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

never  ripens  its  seeds  there.  This  may  be 
owing  to  the  fact  of  its  growing  there  in  dry 
gravelly  soil,  while  in  its  native  places  it  is 
found  in  swamps.  Nevertheless,  our  speci- 
menjias  attained  a  fair  size,  being  sixty-two 
feet  high  and  six  feet  two  inches  in  cir- 
cumference. It  has  something  the  appear- 
ance of  a  white-oak  when  seen  at  a  distance, 
and  in  the  Bartram  tree,  indicates  a  head  of 
a  very  spreading  character. 

11.  Q.   MACROCARPA,   Michaux.      Leaves 
lyrate,  downy  beneath,  deeply  and  sinuately 
lobed,  the  lobes  obtuse  and  spreading.     Cup 
deep,  scaly,  and  fringed  with  bristles.   Acorns 
large,  thick,  and  ovate. — Burr   oak.     Over- 
cup  white-oak.    Native  of  the  Western  States. 

A  powerful  rival  to  the  white-oak,  having 
the  advantage  besides  of  very  handsome 
acorns.  The  Bartram  specimens,  on  dry 
gravelly  soils,  do  not  indicate  very  lofty  trees, 
but  have  widely  spreading  heads.  The  finest 
is  sixty-three  feet  high  and  six  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. 

12.  Q.  NIGRA,   Linnceus.     Leaves  broadly 
wedge-shaped,  slightly  3-5 -lobed  at  the  end, 
covered  with  rusty  dots  beneath.     Cup  very 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  201 

scaly.    Acorn  roundish-ovoid,  small. — Black- 
jack. 

A  very  useful  small  tree,  thriving  in  the 
most  thin  and  barren  soils,  and  giving,  by 
its  large  shining  leaves,  a  gay  appearance. 
In  deep  rich  loams  it  grows  beautifully,  and 
will  reach  fifty  feet  high.  The  Bartram 
specimen  in  dry  gravel  is  about  thirty  feet 
high. 

13.  Q.  OBTUSILOBA,  Michaux.    Leaves  obo- 
vate-oblong,  wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  irregu- 
larly sinuate,  lobed,  the  upper  lobe  dilated, 
retuse.     Cup  hemispherical,  scaly,  nut  ellip- 
tic-ovoid.— Post-oak.     Barren  white-oak. 

This  is  a  singular  looking  tree,  having  but 
few  branches,  and  these  very  long,  forming 
a  very  meagre  looking  round  head.  The 
branchlets  are  so  small  as  to  appear  stunted, 
while  the  leaves  are  rather  above  the  average 
size.  It  thrives  best  in  a  dry  situation.  The 
best  Bartram  specimen  is  thirty  feet  high  by 
forty  two  inches  in  circumference. 

14.  Q.   OLIV^FORMIS,   Michaux.     Leaves 
oblong,  glabrous,  glaucous  on  the  under  side, 
deeply    and    unequally    sinuate    pinnatifid. 
Fruit  elliptic  ovate,  cup  hollowed  out,  bristly 


202  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

on  the  upper  side. — Olive  shape  fruited  oak. 
Native  of  the  Middle  States. 

Growing  to  the  height  of  about  fifty  feet, 
and  thriving  in  deep  loam,  in  an  elevated 
and  dry  situation.  Scarce  in  cultivation,  but 
is  in  the  collection  of  John  Evans. 

15.  Q.  PALUSTRIS,  Duroi.    Leaves  oblong, 
deeply  cut  or  sinuate  lobed,  smooth,  green, 
and  shining;   acorn  small   and   subglobose, 
often  striped  with  blackish-brown  before  quite 
ripe. — Pin  oak. 

A  very  pretty  conical-headed  tree,  with 
leaves  of  a  light  yet  lively  green,  each  very 
deeply  cut,  and  with  the  lower  branches  often 
pendulous,  sweeping  the  ground,  and  forming 
a  pleasant  shade.  Though  generally  con- 
sidered a  swamp  tree,  it  will  flourish  in  the 
driest  situations ;  a  desirable  quality  in  an 
universal  favorite.  The  largest  Bartram 
specimen  is  eighty  feet  high  and  eight  feet  in 
circumference. 

16.  Q.  PHELLOS,  Linnceus.    Leaves  lanceo- 
late, quite  entire.     Fruit  small,  acorn  of  a 
deep  orange  color  inside. — Willow  oak.     Na- 
tive of  the  Middle  and  Southern  States. 

A  peculiar  looking  oak  with  dark  green 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  203 

willow-like  leaves,  and  an  ovately  conical 
head.  Its  foliage  remains  green  till  a  late 
period  of  the  season.  It  thrives  best  in  low 
moist  land  of  a  rich  quality,  but  will  do  well 
in  dry  and  elevated  situations.  The  best 
Bartram  specimen  is  eighty-three  feet  high 
and  seven  feet  two  inches  in  circumference. 

17.  Q.  PRINUS,  Linnczus.  Leaves  obovate 
and  elliptic-oblong,  pubescent  beneath,  with 
wide,  blunt,  equal  teeth.  Fruit  pedunculate. 
Cup  hemispherical.  Nut  ovoid. — Chestnut 
white-oak. 

Usually  grows  to  a  great  height,  often  over 
one  hundred  feet.  It  somewhat  resembles 
the  castanea.  The  latter  is  often  mistaken 
for  a  chestnut ;  the  former  would  never  be 
taken  for  anything  but  an  oak.  In  the  speci- 
mens that  have  come  before  me,  the  head  is 
always  bold  and  irregular,  but  would  pro- 
bably be  more  symmetrical  when  grown 
isolated  from  other  trees.  It  will  grow  to  a 
fine  size  in  dry,  rocky,  or  gravelly  soil,  but 
attains  its  finest  proportions  in  low  and  rich 
situations.  The  best  Bartram  specimen,  on 
dry  gravel,  is  eighty- two  feet  high  and  five 
feet  six  inches  in  circumference. 


204  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

18.  Q.  ROBUR,   Linnceus.     Leaves   oblong, 
somewhat  wedge-shaped,  smooth  and  irregu- 
larly sinuate,  lobes  rounded,  acorns  cylindri- 
cal.— British  stalked  oak. 

A  very  valuable  kind  in  ornamental  garden- 
ing from  the  fact  of  its  foliage  remaining  on 
green  till  the  frost  fairly  "  drags"  it  off;  while 
its  glossy  green  summer  dress  is  "highly  be- 
coming." It  does  not  often  exceed  sixty 
feet  high  in  its  native  country,  but  in  America, 
which  is  pre-eminently  adapted  to  deciduous 
trees,  it  will  do  much  better.  The  Bartram 
specimen,  growing  on  thin  soil  on  a  rock,  is 
eighty  feet  high  and  seven  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. In  general  appearance  it  is  allied  to 
our  white-oak,  but  the  bark  is  never  scaly, 
nor  are  the  leaves  ever  so  deeply  lobed.  It 
will  do  well  in  any  situation  not  too  wet.  Q. 
H.  purpurea,  with  fine  purple  foliage,  is  a  very 
ornamental  variety,  of  which  small  specimens 
are  in  our  vicinity. 

It  is  propagated  by  grafting  on  the  com- 
mon kind. 

19.  Q.  RUBRA,  Linnceus.    Leaves  obtusely 
sinuated.     Cup  very  flat,  with  shallow  edges. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  205 

Nut  large,  oblong,  ovoid. — Eed  oak ;  Cham- 
plain  oak. 

The  trunk  and  bark  of  this  tree  much 
resemble  a  chestnut;  the  branches  have  a 
very  coarse  and  rigid  appearance,  sufficient 
to  distinguish  the  tree  readily  even  in  winter. 
It  makes  a  pretty  object  as  a  single  speci- 
men. It  thrives  well  in  very  poor  soils,  but 
will  not  do  well  in  low  or  wet  situations.  A 
specimen  at  Bartram  is  about  sixty  feet 
high  and  four  and  a  half  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence. There  is  a  noble  specimen  a  few  feet 
off  the  boundaries  of  the  Bartram  estate;  but 
there  is  no  certainty  when  it  may  go  to  form 
"  post  and  rails,"  as  I  have  been  informed  a 
solitary  specimen  of  Q.  ambigua^  Michaux,, 
in  the  vicinity  once  did. 

20.  Q.  SESSILIFLORA,  Salisbury.  Leaves, 
on  long  stalks,  oblong-ovate,  deeply  sinuated,, 
their  sinuses  acute,  lobes  obtuse.  Fruit  clus- 
tered on  very  short  stalks  or  sessile. — Ses- 
sile-fruited British  oak. 

This  is  very  like  the    Q.  Eobur,  and  by 

many  thought  to  be  but  a  variety  of  it.     It 

is  considered  the  most  ornamental  of  the  two. 

I  believe  it  is  not  so  common  as  the  other, 

18 


206  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

but  may  be  found  in  the  collection  of  John 
Evans. 

21.  Q.  SUBER,  Linnceus. — Leaves  evergreen, 
ovate   oblong,  tomentose   beneath,  wavy. — 
Cork-tree.     Native  of  the  south  of  France, 
Barbary,  &e, 

Also  growing  in  the  garden  of  John 
Evans.  It  is  not  generally  considered  hardy, 
but  will  doubtless  prove  so  in  situations 
shaded  from  our  winter's  sun. 

22.  Q.  TUSTCTORIA,   Bartram.     Leaves  ob- 
ovate -oblong,    sinuate-lobed,   pubescent   be- 
neath.    Cup  turbinate.     Nut  ovoid. — Black 
oak;  quercitron. 

Its  large,  luxuriant,  dark  glossy  foliage,  is 
its  chief  value  in  ornamental  gardening. 
The  tree  itself  has  a  very  un  picturesque- 
looking  head;  and,  in  our  neighborhood,  is 
noted  for  a  general  decay,  even  young  trees 
frequently  losing  large  branches.  It  does 
best  in  a  rich  loam  on  a  clay  bottom. 

BHAMNUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Ehamna- 
cea3.  Pentandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx 
swollen  out  with  a  4-5-cleft  border.  Petals 
4-5;  sometimes  wanting.  Styles  2-4,  dis- 


OF  OKNAMENTAL  TKEES.  207 

tinct,  sometimes  combined.  Fruit,  a  2-4- 
seeded  berry. 

1.  E.  CAKOLINIENSIS,  Walter.  Leaves  oval- 
oblong,  obscurely  serrate,  nearly  smooth. 
Umbels  axillary,  on  peduncles  much  shorter 
than  the  leafstalks.  Flowers  4-5-stamened. 
Petals  embracing  the  very  small  stamens. 
Stigmas  three.  Fruit  globose.  —  Carolina 
buckthorn. 

I  give  a  full  description  of  this  species,  as 
it  is  too  little  known.  It  is  a  round-headed 
tree,  of  a  very  pretty  habit ;  while  the  red 
berries  which  cover  it  in  the  fall,  and  which 
subsequently  change  to  a  deep  black,  render 
it  highly  interesting,  not  merely  for  their 
own  simple  beauty,  but  also  for  the  variety 
of  birds  they  attract.  It  is  impatient  of 
moisture,  and  also  of  extreme  drought,  thriv- 
ing best  in  a  deep,  cool  loam.  A  specimen 
at  Bartram  is  about  twenty  feet  high  and 
twelve  inches  in  circumference. 

It  is  readily  propagated  by  seeds  sown  as 
soon  as  ripe.  They  sometimes  remain  in  the 
ground  two  years  before  they  grow,  though 
very  seldom.  It  may  also  be  raised  by  cut- 
tings or  layers,  but  as  these  take  twelve 


208  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

months  at  least  to  root   well,  I  prefer  the 
former  mode. 

2.  K.  CATHARTICUS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  ovate, 
sharply  serrate.     Flowers  4-cleft,  dioecious. 
Spines   terminal.  —  Buckthorn.     Native   of 
England. 

Most  generally  seen  as  a  shrub,  but  by  a 
little  pruning  when  young,  makes  a  hand- 
some round-headed  tree,  often  attaining,  un- 
der favorable  circumstances,  a  height  of 
twenty-five  feet,  and  a  circumference  of  two 
feet.  It  delights  in  a  rich  loam,  inclining  to 
moisture.  It  will  grow  well  in  dry  soils,  but 
is  there  short-lived.  Propagated  as  No.  1. 

3.  K.  FRANGULA,  Linnceus.   "Without  spines. 
Flowers  perfect.     Leaves  obovate,  entire. — 
Alder  buckthorn. 

This  is  usually  but  a  strong  shrub,  but, 
like  the  last,  becomes  a  small  tree,  having  the 
appearance  of  No.  1  by  cultivation  and  ma- 
nagement. A  specimen  is  in  the  garden  of 
John  Evans,  at  Kadnor. 

EHUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Anacardiaceao. 
Pentandria,  Trigynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5-parted. 
Petals  five,  ovate-lanceolate,  spreading.  Fruit, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  209 

a  one -seeded  berry,  nearly  dry,  with  a  bony 
nut. 

1.  E.  COTINUS,  Linnceus.     Leaves  simple, 
ovate. — Venetian  sumach;  mist-tree.   Native 
of  the  south  of  Europe.* 

In  Europe  but  a  small  shrub,  it  rises  here 
to  the  dignity  of  a  small  tree  by  the  aid  of  a 
little  pruning  when  young.  "With  its  dark- 
green  roundish  leaves,  and  its  formal  round 
head,  it  is  peculiarly  pleasing  in  many  situa- 
tions; and,  when  covered  with  its  flowers, 
looks  literally  like  a  "  mist."  It  is  readily  pro- 
pagated by  layers  laid  down  just  before  the 
bursting  of  the  leaf.  The  following  spring 
they  may  be  treated  as  separate  plants. 

2.  E.  TYPHINA,  Linnceus.     Leaves  pinnate, 
leaflets  in  many  pairs,  lanceolate,  acuminate, 
tomentose    beneath.      Panicles   terminal! — 
Stag's-horn;  sumach. 

A  small  tree,  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  high, 
and  the  most  ornamental  tree  I  know  of  its 
size.  Its  dark-green  leaves  rival  those  of 
the  ailanthus  in  the  "  orientality"  of  their 

*  De  Candolle  makes  a  separate  genus  of  tliis  under 
the  name  of  Cotinus. 

18* 


210  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

appearance ;  and  when  in  the  summer  months 
the  tree  is  covered  with  its  large,  erect  pani- 
cles of  red  berries,  the  effect  is  beautiful  in 
the  highest  degree.'  Unfortunately,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  inveterate  suckerers  in  the  vege- 
table kingdom.  Its  admirers  must  be  careful 
to  select  a  position  for  it  where  this  propen- 
sity will  not  prove  objectionable.  It  thrives 
best  in  a  light,  dry,  and  rich  soil,  making  no 
progress  in  a  wet  one. 

3.  E.  VENENATA,  De  Candolle.  Leaves 
pinnate ;  leaflets  obovate-oblong,  sharply 
acuminate,  the  margin  very  entire,  and 
slightly  revolute.  Panicles  loose,  on  long 
peduncles. — Poison-ash ;  poison-sumach. 

This  tree  possesses  little  beauty,  and,  from 
its  poisonous  properties,  none  but  an  enthu- 
sia'stic  lover  of  trees  in  all  their  forms  will 
be  induced  to  cultivate  it.  It  thrives  best  in 
a  moist  situation.  The  Bartram  specimen  is 
about  fifteen  feet  high. 

KOBINIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabacea3. 
Diadelphia,  Decandria,  Linn.  Calyx  4-cleft ; 
the  upper  division  slightly  notched.  Legume 
compressed,  many-seeded,  gibbous. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  211 

1.  E.  HISPID  A,  Linnaeus.   Leaves  unequally 
pinnate.     Stem  hispid.     Eacemes  axillary. — 
Eose  Acacia.    Native  of  the  Southern  States ; 
flowering  throughout  the  summer. 

Few  deciduous  trees  are  more  ornamental 
than  this  when  well  grown  and  covered  with 
its  racemes  of  rose-colored  flowers.  It  de- 
lights in  a  moist  rich  soil,  though  not  by  any 
means  ivet.  If  grfifted  on  the  next  described 
species  it  becomes  more  vigorous.  On  its 
own  roots  it  will  frequently  grow  twenty 
feet  high.  On  a  dry  soil  it  never  reaches 
any  great  height,  though  it  will  flower  freely. 
It  is  readily  propagated  by  cuttings  of  the 
roots  placed  in  a  slight  hotbed  early  in  spring. 

2.  E.   PSEUD-ACACIA,    Linnceus.      Leaves 
unequally  pinnate.     Eacemes   loose,  pendu- 
lous, pedicels  or   flowerstalks   one-flowered. 
Stipules   spinose. — Yellow  locust.     Flower- 
ing in  May. 

This  varies  from  one  of  the  handsomest  of 
ornamental  trees  to  one  of  the  ugliest.  When 
young,  with  its  bold  round  head,  its  elegant 
foliage  and  luxuriant  growth,  profusely 
covered  with  its  large  clusters  of  deliciously- 
scented  flowers,  it  laughs  at  its  rivals.  But 


212  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

the  case  is  different  as  it  advances  in  age ; 
large  branches  broken  off  by  every  stiff 
breeze,  others  dying  "  voluntarily,"  like  sui- 
cides through  grief  for  loss  of  the  power  to 
please ;  then  the  borer,  which  attacks  them 
most  unrelentingly,  and  its  innumerable 
suckers,  make  a  bad  end  to  its  chapter  of 
history.  It  thrives  best  in  a  cool  rich  loam, 
and  is  very  readily  propagated  from  its  seeds, 
sown  either  when  ripe  or  in  the  spring. 

There  are  many  varieties,  differing  chiefly 
in  the  forms  of  their  leaves. 

The  R.  macrophylla  is  common  now  with  us, 
and  also  the  R.  tortuosa,  with  its  curiously 
twisted  branches. 

The  R.  viscosa,  known  as  the  clammy  locust, 
the  branches  and  legumes  being  very  clam- 
my and  sticky,  is  probably  a  good  species. 

SALISBURIA,  Smith. — Nat.  Orel.  Taxaceae. 
Monoecia,  Polyandria,  Linn.  Staminate  flow- 
ers axillary,  filiform,  pedunculate.  Fertile 
flowers  terminal,  solitary  on  simple  or  branch- 
ing peduncles.  Ovule  naked,  seated  in  a  cup- 
shaped  disk,  the  disk  finally  becoming  fleshy, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  213 

embracing  the  base  of  the  nut-like  seed 
(abridged  from  Flora  Cestrica). 

1.  S.  ADIANTIFOLIA,  Smith.  Leaves  pecti- 
nate or  comb-shaped,  somewhat  wedge-shaped 
at  the  base,  irregularly  cut  or  scolloped  on 
the  margin,  and  marked  with  straight  diverg- 
ent veins. — Gtinko ;  maiden  hair  tree.  Native 
of  Japan. 

Though  classed  by  Loudon  as  a  monoecious 
plant,  in  a  private  letter  in  my  possession  he 
speaks  of  it  as  a  dioecious  one.  I  believe 
our  specimens  have  not  yet  flowered.  As 
an  ornamental  tree  it  claims  much  attention. 
Its  stem  is  very  straight,  resembling  in  that 
respect,  as  well  as  in  color,  that  of  the  tulip 
tree.  The  leaves  are  of  a  bluish-green  tinge, 
and  from  their  fern-like  appearance,  attract 
much  attention.  The  branches  come  out  of 
very  variable  vigor,  and  extend  nearly  hori- 
zontally. It  is  a  very  artificial-looking  tree, 
and  very  appropriate  for  associating  with 
architectural  objects.  It  thrives  best  in  a 
deep  rich  loam  on  a  dry  subsoil.  The  hand- 
somest trees,  being  the  original  of  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton's introduction,  are  at  the  Woodlands;  the 


214  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Bartram  specimen  is  sixty-one  feet  high  and 
three  feet  eight  inches  in  circumference. 

It  is  generally  propagated  by  layers,  put 
down  as  soon  as  the  young  wood  is  ripe, 
being  first  notched  as  for  a  carnation.  The 
stool  of  layers  should  be  protected  from  frost. 
When  rooted,  they  are  easily  managed  after- 
wards.'55' 

There  are  some  very  fine  specimens  of  this 
tree  in  Mr.  Pierce's  arboretum,  little  if  any 
inferior  to  the  Bartram  specimens. 

SALIX,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Salicacea?. 
Dioecia,  Diandria,  Linn.  Catkins  with  the 
scales  entire.  Calyx  wanting.  Staminate 
flowers  with  1-6  stamens,  filaments  some- 
times united.  Pistillate  flowers.  Stigma  2- 
lobed,  with  one  or  more  glands  contiguous  to 
the  pistil. 

The  WILLOW  TRIBE  has  not  as  yet  met 
with  that  distinction  as  affording  ornamental 
trees  which  it  deserves.  I  fear  that  Juliet's 

*  Since  the  above  was  written,  I  learn  that  trees  have 
produced  fruit  in  France.  So  that  the  easiest  manner  of 
increasing  our  stock  of  this  valuable  tree  will  be  by  im- 
porting seedlings. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  215 

doctrine,  that  "a  rose  by  any  other  name  will 
smell  as  sweet,"  has  been  inverted  in  this  case, 
and  that  the  name  "  willow"  has  become  so 
associated  with  the  idea  of  a  swamp,  except  in 
the  instance  of  the  Baby  Ionian,  that  all  willows 
seem  to  "smell  swampy"  to  the  ornamental 
planter.  But  though  many  of  them  thrive 
in  moist  places,  it  is  not  so  in  all  the  kinds. 
Some  of  them  do  well  in  the  driest  soils,  and 
are  adapted  to  ornament  every  situation. 
They  are  destined  yet  to  receive  considerable 
attention.  So  far  there  are  but  few  in  culti- 
vation; the  following  kinds  are  for  the  most 
part  to  be  found  growing  only  in  the  collec- 
tion of  my  friend  Evans. 

1.  S.  ACUMINATA,  Smith.  Stamens  2. 
Leaves  lanceolate  oblong,  pointed,  wavy, 
finely  toothed,  glaucous  and  downy  beneath. 
— Large-leaved  willow.  Native  of  England. 

It  grows  twenty  or  thirty  feet  high,  with 
an  erect,  coarse,  and  stiff  habit;  its  chief 
beauty  consisting  in  its  fine  foliage.  It 
thrives  best  in  a  low  wet  situation,  but  will 
do  very  well  in  a  dry  one. 

Like  all  the  willows,  this  may  be  readily 
struck  by  cuttings  or  "truncheons"  of  the 


216  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

one  or  two  year  old  wood,  the  latter  making 
vigorous  trees  the  soonest.  The  pieces,  be- 
ing cut  into  lengths  about  three  inches  long, 
may  be  stuck  their  full  length  in  any  moist 
waste  piece  of  ground  any  time  in  early 
spring  before  the  bursting  of  the  bud. 

2.  S.  ALBA,  Linnceus.     Leaves  elliptic-lan- 
ceolate, acuminate,  toothed,  white  and  silky 
beneath,  the  lowest  teeth  glandular.    Flowers 
appearing  with  the  leaves.     Ovaries  smooth, 
sessile. — White  willow.    Native  of  Europe. 
Naturalized  in  the  United  States. 

A  handsome  round-headed  tree,  growing 
well  in  any  soil  or  situation,  where  it  will 
easily  attain  a  height  of  fifty  feet.  In  wet 
swampy  places  I  have  seen  it  between  seventy 
and  eighty,  and  with  a  trunk  of  large  diame- 
ter. 

3.  S.  ALBA,   var.    Vitellina.     S.   vitellina, 
Linnwus,  now  reduced  to  a  variety  of  alba, 
has   the   leaves   shorter    and    broader,    and 
more  spreading  orange-yellow  branches,  but 
is  in  every  other  respect  similar.     Its  golden 
bark  contrasts  beautifully  with  its  deep-green 
leaves,  and  even  in  winter  imparts  a  cheerful- 
ness to  garden  scenery. 


OF  OKNAMENTAL  TEEES.  217 

4.  S.  BABYLONICA,  Linnceus.   Leaves  lance- 
olate, acuminate,  serrate,  glabrous,  glaucous 
beneath. — Weeping  willow.     Native  of  Asia. 

A  detailed  description  of  this  fine  tree  is 
unnecessary,  so  well  is  it  known.  It  is  pecu- 
liarly fitting  to  accompany  architectural  ob- 
jects. Its  lightness,  and  graceful  elegance, 
throw  on  all  around  a  softness  that  is  pecu- 
liarly pleasing.  By  ponds,  lakes,  or  small 
streams  it  is  highly  appropriate,  and  in  any 
still,  quiet  scenery,  as  a  shade  to  an  arbor  or 
place  devoted  to  meditation  or  study,  it  adds 
an  interest  few  trees  can  create.  In  very 
gay,  rugged,  stiff,  or  bold  scenery  it  is  out 
of  place,  except  in  peculiar  instances,  where 
bold  contrasts  can  be  introduced  with  effect. 
It  will  thrive  in  almost  any  soil,  refusing 
only  those  actually  wet  or  sodden  ;  but  in  a 
dry  deep  loam,  contiguous  to  moisture,  it 
grows  with  a  surprising  rapidity. 

5.  B.  annularis  has  its  leaves  always  curl- 
ed.    As  a  curiosity  it  may  please ;  but  as  an 
ornamental  tree  will  never  be  popular.     A 
curled  leaf  will  ever  be  associated  with  dis- 
ease, or  insects. 

19 


218  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

5.  S.   CAPREA,   Linnceus.     Stamens   two. 
Leaves  roundish-ovate,  pointed-serrate,  waved, 
veins  much  netted,  pale  and  downy  beneath. 
— Goat- willow.     Native  of  Britain. 

There  is  a  noble  specimen  of,  I  believe, 
this  species  in  the  fine  arboretum  of  Mr. 
Pierce,  which  is  five  feet  in  circumference, 
and  probably  forty  feet  high.  Its  head  is 
very  regular,  round,  and  spreading.  Mr. 
Evans  has  a  variety  with  variegated  leaves. 
Its  foliage  is  very  dense,  imparting  a  grateful 
shade.  It  grows  well  in  the  driest  soils,  but 
does  best  in  those  inclining  to  moisture. 

6.  S.  CROWEANA,  Smith.     Leaves  elliptical, 
slightly  serrated,  glaucous  beneath.     Ovary 
silky.    Stamens  united  at  the  base. — Crowe's 
willow. 

This  can  scarcely  be  considered  as  a  tree. 
In  very  wet  soils,  in  which  it  delights,  it  will 
grow  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet. 

7.  S.  DAPHNOIDES,  Villars.  Leaves  broadly 
lanceolate  and  pointed,  with  glandular  serra- 
tures,  smooth  and  glaucous  beneath.  Catkins 
appearing  before  the  leaves. — Daphne  willow. 
Native  of  Switzerland. 

A  fine  species,  growing  from  thirty  to  forty 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  219 

feet   high.      Its   dark,   mealy-looking  bark 
gives  it  a  very  unique  appearance. 

8.  S.  DECIPIENS,  Smith.  Stamens  two. 
Leaves  lanceolate,  pointed,  serrate,  very 
smooth.  Branches  smooth  and  highly  po- 
lished. —  "White  Welsh- willow.  Native  of 
Britain,  but  said  to  be  naturalized  in  Ame- 
rica. 

A  tree  of  upright  growth,  and  often  ex- 
ceeding forty  feet.  Its  young  shoots  are 
stained  with  red,  and  those  of  the  preceding 
season  have  a  yellowish  cast.  It  will  thrive 
well  in  a  dry  soil. 

9.  S.  FORBYANA,  Smith.  Stamen  one. 
Leaves  lanceolate-oblong,  serrated,  glabrous, 
with  small  downy  stipules. — Forby's  willow. 
Native  of  England. 

This  is  a  small  tree,  not  over  twelve  feet 
high,  with  very  twiggy,  slender,  pale-green, 
and  glossy  stems.  It  thrives  best  in  a  wet 
soil. 

10.  S.  FORSTERIANA,  Smith.  Leaves  elliptic- 
obovate,  acute,  crenate,  slightly  downy,  glau- 
cous beneath.  Catkins  long,  narrow.  Germen 
awl-shaped,  silky.  Branches  slightly  downy. — 


220  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

Forster's  mountain  willow.    Native  of  Scot- 
land. 

Growing  to  about  fifteen  feet  high,  or  pro- 
bably higher  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  not  liable 
to  become  too  wet. 

11.  S.  FKAGILIS,  Linnceus.      Stamens  two. 
Leaves  ovate-lanceolate,  pointed,  serrate,  very 
glabrous. — Crack  willow.     Native  of  Britain. 

In  moist  places  this  will  frequently  grow 
to  eighty  or  ninety  feet  high.  Its  chief 
beauty  consists  in  its  silky  catkins. 

12.  S.   F.   KUSSELLIANA,    Carey.    Leaves 
lanceolate,  acuminate,  serrate -dent  ate  with  the 
teeth   incurved,    subglaucous    beneath,   and 
slightly  silky  while  young.     Stipules  semi- 
cordate.     Styles  conspicuous. — Bedford  wil- 
low.    Native  of  Britain,  and  naturalized  in 
the  United  States. 

Very  nearly  resembling  the  preceding, 
and,  for  ornamental  purposes,  superior  to  it. 
It  will  thrive  well  in  drier  ground. 

13.  S.   HIRTA,    Smith.      Leaves    elliptic 
heart-shaped,  pointed,  finely  crenate,  downy 
on  both   sides.     Stipules  half  heart-shaped, 
nearly  glabrous.     Branches  densely  hairy. — 
Hairy  willow.     Native  of  Britain. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  221 

Growing  twenty  or  thirty  feet  high,  with 
a  very  erect  habit  of  growth.  It  thrives  best 
in  a  deep  rich  loam,  inclining  to  moisture. 

14.  S.  NIGRA,  Marshall.     Stamens  3-4,  or 
6.     Styles  short.     Leaves  narrow-lanceolate, 
tapering  and  acute  at  each  end,  smooth  and 
green  on  both  sides,  with  the  petiole  and 
midrib  pubescent. — Black  willow.      Native 
of  the  United  States. 

A  small  tree  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet 
high,  with  a  dark-colored  rough  bark,  and 
with  the  young  branches  dark  purple.  It 
grows  naturally  in  low  grounds  contiguous 
to  moisture. 

15.  S.  PENTANDRA,  Lmnceus.   Stamens  five. 
Leaves   ovate,   pointed,   crenate,   glandular, 
broad,   shining,   having   a    fragrance   when 
slightly  dried. — Shining  willow.     Native  of 
Europe  and  the  United  States. 

This  grows  about  twenty  feet  high,  and  is 
the  most  ornamental  of  the  tribe.  It  delights 
in  a  moist  situation.  Its  flowers  appear  later 
in  the  season  than  most  other  species.  Our 
S.  lucida,  Muhlenberg;  and  S.  Meyeriana, 
Willdenow,  of  Germany,  are  probably  in- 
cluded in  this. 

19* 


222  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

16.  S.   POMERANICA,  Willdenow.     Leaves 
lanceolate,    tapering    to    both    extremities, 
about  four  inches  long,  smooth  and  shining 
above,  glaucous  beneath.     Catkins  about  one 
inch  long.     Branches  copiously  covered  with 
small  yellow  dots. — Pomeranian  willow. 

Somewhat  allied  to  S.  daphnoides,  growing 
about  the  same  height,  and  equally  as  orna- 
mental. 

17.  S.  ROTUND  ATA,  Forbes.     Leaves  round- 
ish, bluntly   serrate,  glabrous   and   shining 
above,  glaucous,  netted,  and  slightly  hairy 
beneath.      Stipules    rounded,    serrate,    and 
glandular. — Eound-leaved  willow.    Native  of 
Switzerland. 

One  of  the  most  distinct-looking  species 
known  to  me,  growing  about  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet  high. 

18.  S.  RUBRA,  Hudson.     Stamens  two,  com- 
bined at  the  base.     Leaves  linear-lanceolate, 
acuminate,  serrate,  glabrous,  green  on  both 
sides.     Capsules   sessile,  very   pubescent. — 
Ked  willow.     Native  of  Britain. 

A  small  tree  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  high, 
with  long  narrow  leaves,  and  twiggy  branches. 
It  does  best  in  moist  situations. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  223 

19.  S.  VIMINALIS,  Linnceus.  Stamens  two. 
Leaves  linear,  inclining  to  lanceolate,  long, 
but  not  more  than  half  an  inch,  wide ;  mar- 
gins entire,  wavy,  snow  white  and  silky 
beneath. — Twiggy,  or  osier  willow.  Native ' 
of  Britain,  but  I  believe  naturalized  in  the 
States. 

Generally  grows  about  twenty  feet  high ; 
its  long,  narrow  leaves  render  it  highly  orna- 
mental. It  will  grow  very  well  in  the  driest 
soils,  but  prefers  the  neighborhood  of  water. 

SOPHORA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabaceae. 
Decandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5 -tooth- 
ed. Corolla  butterfly-shaped,  with  the  wings 
of  the  same  length  as  the  upper  petal  (vexil- 
lum).  Legume  bearded;  many-seeded. 

1.  S.  JAPONIC  A,  Linnceus.  Leaves  pinnate, 
leaflets  many,  ovate,  smooth. — Japan  sophora. 
Flowers  in  August. 

A  most  beautiful  tree,  somewhat  resem- 
bling the  locust  in  its  appearance,  whether 
considered  in  its  outline,  flower,  or  foliage. 
Its  average  growth  is  about  forty  feet,  thriv- 
ing best  in  a  deep  rich  loam,  moderately  dry. 
It  is  readily  propagated  by  seeds,  when  they 


224  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

can  be  obtained,  which  are  best  sown  as  soon 
as  ripe.  The  most  common  mode  is  by 
layers,  which  may  be  put  down  as  soon  as 
the  wood  is  ripe,  protecting  them  from  frost 
in  winter ;  they  will  be  mostly  rooted  suffi- 
ciently to  take  up  in  spring.  Cuttings,  se- 
lected with  care,  will  also  root  pretty  well  if 
put  in  as  soon  as  the  wood  is  ripe,  and  pro- 
tected from  severe  frost,  carefully  guarding 
against  damp. 

S.  J.  pendula,  a  fine  weeping  variety,  is 
also  in  our  collections. 

STYRAX,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Styracese. 
Decandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Corolla  twisted 
to  the  left,  funnel-form.  Fruit  a  two-seeded 
drupe. 

1.  S.  GRANDIFOLIUM,  Aiton.  Leaves  large, 
obovate,  silky  beneath.  Lower  peduncles 
axillary,  solitary,  one-flowered. — Large-leaved 
storax.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 
Flowers  in  July. 

In  cultivation  this  becomes  a  tree  fifteen 
or  twenty  feet  high,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
ornamental  of  its  class,  whether  we  consider 
its  large  leathery  leaves,  or  numerous  snow- 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TEEES.  225 

white  flowers.  It  delights  in  a  light  gravelly 
loam,  where  the  roots  are  contiguous  to 
moisture,  and  in  a  slightly  shaded  situation. 
It  is  best  propagated  by  layers  put  down  just 
before  the  bursting  of  the  buds,  notched  like 
a  carnation;  they  will  root  before  fall.  A 
specimen  at  Bartram  is  about  twenty-five 
feet  high  and  fifteen  inches  in  circumference. 

TAXODIUM,  Richard. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinaceae. 
Monoecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male  catkins 
disposed  in  a  pyramidal  round  spike.  Pollen 
of  each  flower  borne  in  five  cases,  attached 
to  the  scale  on  its  inner  face.  Female  catkins 
two  or  three  together,  near  the  base  of  the 
spike  of  male  catkins.  Strobile  globose. 
Scales  peltate,  angled. 

T.  DISTICHUM,  Richard.  Branches  distich- 
ous. Leaves  linear. — Deciduous  or  bald 
cypress.  Native  of  the  Southern  States. 

This  is  a  noble  deciduous  tree,  sometimes 
attaining  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high 
with  a  circumference  of  thirty.  When 
young  it  has  a  very  regular  pyramidal  form, 
becoming  round-headed  with  age,  and  ulti- 
mately rather  flat  and  spreading.  The  fine- 


226  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

ness  of  its  foliage  contrasts  strikingly  with 
its  strong  rugged  appearance,  and  the  pale- 
green  hue  of  its  leaves  with  the  cedar-like 
tint  of  its  branches.  When  growing  luxuri- 
antly, it  is  lined  with  deep  ribs,  as  if  the  one 
trunk  were  made  up  of  a  number  of  small 
ones;  add  to  this  the  numerous  "knees,"  like 
large  beehives,  which  it  throws  up  for  many 
feet  around,  and  we  have  a  specimen  of 
arborial  picturesque  beauty  not  easily  sur- 
passed. The  Bartram  specimen  is  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  feet  high  and  twenty 
feet  in  circumference.  It  grows  best  in 
moist  swampy  places  ;  or,  if  in  dry  soil,  near 
a  spring  or  contiguous  to  moisture.  It  is 
readily  propagated  from  seeds  sown  early  in 
spring  in  sandy  loam,  in  a  rather  moist  and 
shaded  situation.  The  following  spring  they 
may  be  put  into  nursery  rows.  They  trans- 
plant pretty  well  at  all  times  with  care. 

T.  D.  pendulum  is  a  fine  variety  with  droop- 
ing leaves.  In  other  respects  much  the  same 
as  the  preceding. 

TAXUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  TaxaceaB. 
Dioecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Staminate  flowers 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  227 

bursting  from  several  opposite,  imbricated, 
adjoining,  bud-like  scales.  Column  of  stamens 
surmounted  by  many  peltate  8 -cleft  anthers. 
Pistillate  flower  solitary,  with  imbricated 
scales  at  the  base.  Fruit  a  single  nut  em- 
bedded in  a  succulent  cup,  the  calyx. 

1.  T.  BACCATA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  linear, 
approximating  dark-green. — English  yew. 

Opinion  is  divided  with  regard  to  the 
merits  of  this  tyree  in  ornamental  gardening. 
Some  deem  that  its  long  association  with 
English  churchyards  and  cemeteries,  suggests 
ideas  too  funereal  for  the  life-enjoying  plea- 
sures of  a  garden.  Others  look  on  the  well- 
known  degree  of  abuse  it  will  submit  to,  as 
a  subject  of  pleasing  reflection,  suggestive  of 
the  victorious  nature  of  meek,  uncomplaining, 
persevering  effort  in  overcoming  all  obstacles. 

But  for  the  once  setting  aside  both  poetry 
and  association,  our  collections  are  too  scarce 
of  evergreens  to  allow  us  to  dispense  with 
one,  and  for  my  part  I  admire  the  yew. 
There  is  a  very  fine  specimen  planted  by 
Young,  before  mentioned  as  "the  king's  Bo- 
tanist," in  friend  Longstreth's  garden  in  King- 
sessing,  probably  thirty  feet  high,  and  with 


228  AMEKICAN  HANDBOOK 

its  branches  extending  nearly  as  far  horizon- 
tally. It  loves  a  deep  rich  loam,  but  will  un- 
dergo any  soil  or  treatment.  It  may  be  propa- 
gated by  seeds,  layers,  or  cuttings.  The  former 
rarely  germinate  the  first  year,  and  are  seldom 
employed.  Cuttings  are  best  of  two  year  old 
wood,  put  in  sand  in  July  or  August,  slightly 
shaded  and  kept  moist,  with  some  protection 
through  winter.  There  are  several  fine  va- 
rieties, the  commonest  being  the  Irish  yew 
(T.  B.  fastigiata,  Lindley);  the  weeping  yew 
(T.  B.  Dovastoni),  with  very  fine  broad  foliage 
and  pendulous  branches ;  the  silver  variegated 
(T.  B.  elegantissima)  •  the  gold  variegated,  and 
the  erect  branching  (T.  B.  erecta,  London). 

2.  T.  CANADENSIS,  Willdenow.  Leaves 
linear,  revolute  on  the  margins.  Eeceptacle 
of  the  staminate  flower  subglobose. 

This  is  a  much  smaller  tree  than  the  pre- 
ceding, readily  distinguished  by  the  paler 
foliage  and  reddish  wood. 

Soil  and  propagation  as  No.  1. 

3.*  T.  NUCIFERA,  Linnceus.    Seeds  inclosed 

*  The  kinds  with  seed  inclosed  in  the  disk,  are  now,  I 
believe,  referred  to  Torreya  of  Siebold. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  229 

by  the  fleshy  disk.  Leaves  linear,  distant. — 
Acorn  yew.  Native  of  Japan,  where  it  grows 
about  twenty  feet  high,  with  a  diffuse  and  ir- 
regular habit.  It  is  in  the  collection  of  John 
Evans.  It  is  often  propagated  by  grafting 
on  the  English  yew. 

THUJA,  Tournefort. — Nat.  Ord.  Pinacese. 
Monoecia,  Monadelphia,  Linn.  Male  catkin 
terminal,  solitary.  Pollen  of  each  flower  con- 
tained in  four  cases  attached  to  the  inner  face 
of  the  scale  towards  the  base.  Female  cat- 
kin terminal.  Ovary  joined  with  the  bractea, 
thus  forming  a  receptacle.  Ovules  two  to 
each  receptacle.* 

1.  T.  OCCIDENTALS,  Linnceus.  Cones  obo- 
vate,  scaly ;  seeds  winged;  branches  horizontal, 
recurved. — American  arbor  vitae.  Native  of 
the  Northern  States. 

*  In  accordance  with  my  plan  I  adhere  to  the  nomen- 
clature in  common  use,  though  I  cannot  help  observing 
that  the  separation  of  No.  2  and  No.  3  from  the  genus 
under  the  name  of  BIOTA,  Don,  is  very  judicious,  as  all 
who  are  familiar  with  the  dissimilarity  of  their  fruits  will 
admit.  The  species  not  having  winged  seeds  are  now 
referred  to  Biota. 

20 


230  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

An  evergreen  essential  in  all  collections. 
It  is  handsomer  than  the  Chinese  kind,  though 
not  so  generally  cultivated.  When  young,  it 
has  a  rather  slender  appearance,  but,  on  be- 
coming older,  branches  out  into  a  head  very 
similar  to  the  red  cedar.  The  finest  Bar  tram 
specimen  is  about  fifty-two  feet  high  and 
three  feet  ten  inches  in  circumference.  It  is 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  the  fall  or  spring 
in  boxes  of  light,  sandy  soil,  kept  cool  and 
moderately  moist  till  they  appear.  If 'sown 
thinly,  they  are  best  left  two  years  in  the  seed 
bed,  and  then  removed  to  nursery  rows  one 
foot  apart.  A  cool,  rather  moist  soil,  on  a 
dry  bottom,  seems  best  adapted  for  it,  but  it 
will  do  well  in  any  soil  not  too  Wet  or  too  stiff. 

2.  T.  ORIENTALIS,  LinncBus.  Cones  ellip- 
tic, scales  mucronate  beneath  the  fleshy  apex. 
Branches  ascending,  branchlets  mostly  verti- 
cal.— Chinese  arbor  vite. 

When  young,  this  is  handsomer  than  the 
last,  but  can  bear  no  comparison  with  it  when 
it  becomes  old.  The  best  Bartram  specimen  is 
about  twenty -five  feet  high  and  three  feet  in 
circumference.  It  is  propagated  as  the  last, 
and  also  by  cuttings  of  the  well  ripened  wood 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  231 

put  in  sandy  soil  early  in  the  fall,  and  slightly 
protected  through  winter.  It  is  sometimes 
raised  from  layers. 

3.  T.    PENDULA,    Lambert.     Leaves    like 
small  scales,  opposite,  imbricate,  ovate-lance- 
olate, mucronate,  decurrent.     Cones  ovate-ob- 
long, produced  in  clusters  at  the  ends  of  the 
branches.     Seeds  wingless. — Weeping  arbor 
vitae.     Native  of  Japan  and  China. 

A  very  peculiar  looking  small  tree  of  about 
fifteen  feet  high.  Its  slender,  apparently  leaf- 
less branchlets,  hang  down  very  gracefully. 
It  is  one  of  the  prettiest  evergreens  yet  intro- 
duced for  planting  by  the  sides  of  walks  in 
the  pleasure-ground. 

4.  T.  PLICATA,   Don.    Allied   to  No.   1. 
The  branchlets  are  compressed  and  flattened, 
shining  on  the  upper  surface,  and  the  lower 
of  a  dull  green,  dotted  with  stomata. — Plicate 
arbor  vitae.     Native  of  the  north-west  coast. 

A  considerable  improvement  on  No.  1, 
growing  more  compact,  and  with  a  fuller 
habit  of  growth,  though,  I  believe,  never 
reaching  the  same  height. 


232  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

TILIA,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Tiliaceae.  Po- 
lyandria,  Monogynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5-parted, 
deciduous.  Corolla  5-petalled.  Capsules 
globose,  downy,  5-celled,  opening  at  the  base. 

1.  T.  AMERICANA,  Linnceus.  Leaves  deeply 
cordate,  nearly  round,  abruptly  acuminate, 
sharply  serrate,  smooth.  Petals  with  a  scale 
on  the  inside  at  the  base,  notched  at  the  apex. 
Fruit  ovate,  ribbed. — American  linden.  Na- 
tive of  Canada  and  the  Northern  States. 
Flowers  in  July. 

In  the  Middle  States,  both  this  and  the  fol- 
lowing species  have  been  very  popular  as  a 
shade  tree.  Its  yellowish  fragrant  flowers 
are  so  grateful  to  insects,  that  the  tree  be- 
comes disagreeable  on  their  account  while  it 
is  in  flower.  It  is  also  very  liable  to  the  at- 
tacks of  a  borer.  When  full  grown,  it  has  a 
rather  irregular  round  head,  and  to  most  tastes 
has  a  very  pleasing  effect.  It  is  easily  dis- 
tinguished from  the  following,  when  old,  by 
its  round  head,  and  when  in  fruit  by  its  ribbed 
fruit,  and  Mr.  Emerson  remarks,  in  his  ex- 
cellent " Trees  and  Shrubs  of  Massachusetts," 
by  the  young  shoots  being  of  a  dark-brown 
or  blackish  color.  In  the  autumn,  the  leaves 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  233 

turn  to  a  pale  lemon  yellow,  and  are  amongst 
the  earliest  to  mark  the  progress  of  the  season. 

The  best  soil  for  it  is  a  deep  cool  loam, 
though  it  will  grow  pretty  well  in  any  not 
liable  to  extremes  of  wet  or  dry.  It  may  be 
propagated  by  seed  sown  as  soon  as  ripe, 
which  will  mostly  appear  the  following 
spring.  The  most  usual  plan  is  by  layers 
put  down  as  soon  as  the  wood  is  ripe,  some- 
where about  the  month  of  June.  Sometimes 
these  layers  are  tongued  and  pegged  down, 
at  other  times  merely  twisted  a  little  near 
the  base  of  the  stool,  which  is  then  moulded 
up  with  earth  to  just  above  the  twisted  parts. 

The  best  Bartram  specimen  on  dry  soil  is 
eighty-two  feet  high  and  five  feet  ten  inches 
in  circumference. 

2.  T.  EUROPOBA,  Linnaeus.  Leaves  twice 
the  length  of  the  footstalks,  glabrous  beneath. 
Petals  without  nectaries.  Flowers  appearing 
a  month  earlier  than  the  last.  Fruit  nearly 
or  quite  globose. — European  linden. 

This  species  grows  more  regular  and  coni- 
cal than  the  last,  and  when  growing  by  itself, 
its  branches  sweep  the  ground.  In  such 
cases  it  forms  one  of  the  most  beautiful  ob- 
20* 


234  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

jects  a  single  tree  can  afford.  It  is  apt  to  lose 
its  leaves  very  early,  unless  growing  in  a 
deep  rich  loam.  It  may  be  propagated  as 
the  last.  There  are  many  varieties'*  in  our 
nurseries.  The  rubra  with  red  shoots,  aurea 
with  yellow,  platypliylla  with  broad  leaves, 
parvifolia  with  small  leaves,  and  the  pendula 
with  drooping  branches. 

3.  T.  HETEROPHYLLA,  VentenciL  May  be  but 
a  variety  of  No.  1,  but  is  considered  by  many 
as  distinct.  It  is  the  T.  alba  of  Michaux. 
The  leaves  are  ovate,  white  and  downy  be- 
neath, sometimes  cordate  at  the  base ;  oftener 
obliquely  cordate  and  truncate.  It  does  not 
grow  so  high  as  No.  1,  and  will  thrive  in 
heavier  soils,  especially  if  near  a  stream  or 
contiguous  to  moisture.  The  commonest 
weeping  linden  of  the  nurseries  is  of  this 
species,  and  when  grafted  standard  high  on 
some  other  kind  will  form  a  pretty  object. 
It  has  a  striking  peculiarity  in  the  change  of 
the  color  of  the  leaves  in  the  fall.  A  portion 

*  The  nomenclature  of  the  genus  is  confused.  It  is 
difficult  to  pronounce  what  is  a  species  and  what  but  a 
variety. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  235 

will  be  quite  green  while  the  rest  are  of  a 
bright-yellow.  The  white  linden  should  be  in 
every  collection. 

ULMUS,  Linnceus. — Nat.  Ord.  Ulmaceae. 
Pentandria,  Digynia,  Linn.  Calyx  5-8- cleft, 
permanent.  Corolla  none.  Stamens  equal 
to  the  divisions  of  the  calyx.  Fruit  a  one- 
celled,  one-seeded  samara. 

1.  U.  AMERICANA,  Linn&us.  Leaves  smooth 
above,  oblong  ovate,  unequal  at  the  base, 
equally  and  sharply  serrate.  Flowers  pedi- 
cellate. Fruit  oval,  downy  at  the  margin. — • 
American  elm. 

This  fine  tree  is  very  popular  in  many  of 
the  Northern  States,  and  deservedly  so,  for 
few  trees  can  compare  with  it  in  the  easy 
gracefulness  of  its  appearance.  It  likes  not 
to  be  crowded  by  other  trees,  always  in  that 
case  losing  considerable  of  it  beauty.  It  is 
essentially  a  round-headed  tree,  and,  when 
old,  frequently  becomes  quite  pendulous.  It 
is  not  at  home  in  wet  situations,  thriving  only 
in  light  loose  loams.  In  our  district  it  is  so 
very  liable  to  be  preyed  upon  by  insects,  that 
it  has  lost  much  of  its  interest.  It  will  some- 


236  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

times  reach,  eighty  feet  high;  but  its  most 
usual  figure  is  sixty. 

The  seed  ripens  in  May,  and  should  be 
sown  at  once  in  a  bed  of  light  sandy  loam, 
taking  care  to  keep  the  bed  regularly  moist 
and  partially  shaded  through  the  season. 
The  most  usual  mode  of  propagation  is  by 
layers.  A  "  stool"  being  used  for  that  pur- 
pose, the  shoots  are  twisted  and  moulded  up 
as  before  described,  and  in  that  manner  they 
soon  form  roots. 

There  is  a  weeping  variety,  U.  pendula  of 
Pursh,  in  our  collections,  as  well  as  one?  with 
purple  leaves. 

2.  U.  CAMPESTRIS,  Linnceus.  Leaves  rhom- 
boid ovate,  acuminate,  wedge-shaped,  oblique 
at  the  base,  scabrous  above,  doubly  and  ir- 
regularly serrate,  downy  beneath,  serratures 
incurved.  Fruit  oblong,  deeply  cloven, 
naked. — English  elm. 

This  is  a  finer  tree  than  the  last,  growing 
larger,  and  having  a  stiffer  head,  and  general 
habit  of  growth.  Mr.  Emerson  notices  that 
the  leaves  stay  green  a  much  longer  period 
in  the  fall,  than  in  our  kind. 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TEEES.  237 

There  is  a  very  fine  specimen  in  Mr.  Pierce's 
arboretum,  measuring  six  feet  seven  inches 
in  circumference,  and  is  probably  ninety  feet 
high.  The  Cornish  elm,  U.  stricta  of  Lindley, 
now  considered  a  variety  of  this,  is  also  in 
our  collections. 

3.  U.  FULVA,  Michaux.    Leaves  scabrous 
above.     Buds  clothed  with  a  brown  down. 
Flowers   in   dense   bundles.      Fruit    nearly 
round,    naked    on    the    margin. — Slippery 
elm. 

A  handsome  tree,  with  magnificent  foliage, 
but  without  -  the  ample  proportions  which 
characterize  the  other  species.  It  seldom 
exceeds  fifty  feet  high,  and  has  often  a  pendu- 
lous appearance.  It  has  the  advantage  of 
thriving  in  a  low  wet  soil,  where  the  other 
kinds  will  not.  The  bark  is  frequently  corky. 
The  Bartram  specimen  is  fifty  feet  high  and 
five  and  a  half  feet  in  circumference,  but  is 
nearly  dead,  owing  to  the  bark  having  been 
almost  entirely  stolen  off  for  medicinal  pur- 
poses. 

4.  U.  GLABRA,  Miller.    Leaves  ovate,  lan- 
ceolate, acuminate,  doubly  serrate,  obliquely 


238  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  smooth  above, 
smooth  or  glandular  below.  Fruit  obovate, 
naked,  deeply  cloven. — Smooth-leaved  elm. 
Native  of  Britain. 

In  its  native  country  this  grows  from  sixty 
to  eighty  feet  high,  but  the  specimens  I  have 
fallen  in  with  here  are  all  small.  It  thrives 
in  similar  situations  to  No.  2. 

The  Huntingdon,  U.  Gr.  Qegeta  of  Loudon, 
is  also  in  our  collections,  as  well  as  the  varie- 
gated leaved. 

5.  U.  MONTANA,  Bauhin.  Leaves  obovate, 
cuspidate,  wedge-shaped  at  the  base,  coarsely 
and  doubly  serrate,  very  scabrous  above, 
downy  beneath.  Fruit  rhomboid  oblong, 
naked,  scarcely  cloven. — Mountain  or  wych 
elm.  Native  of  Britain. 

This  has  not  been  extensively  cultivated 
here,  but  will  probably  prove  one  of  the  most 
desirable  of  trees.  Its  dark,  ample  foliage, 
and  vigorous  growth,  are  amongst  the  traits 
of  character  which  commend  it.  It  thrives 
best  in  a  cool,  deep,  and  rich  loam,  and  is 
propagated  like  the  rest.  The  Exeter  elm,  a 
variety  with  very  upright  growing  branches 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  289 

and  compact  habit,  is  also  in  our  collections, 
and  a  very  desirable  kind,  on  account  of  the 
strong  contrasts  which  can  be  made  with  the 
pendulous  varieties. 

VIRGILIA,  Lamarck. — Nat.  Ord.  Fabacese. 
Corolla  butterfly-shaped.  Fruit  a  flat,  many 
seeded  legume. 

V.  LUTEA,  Michaux.  Leaves  pinnate,  leaf- 
lets alternate. — Yellow  wood.  Native  of  the 
"Western  States.  Flowers  in  July. 

A  middle-sized  round-headed  tree,  which 
•  when  in  flower  is  particiilarly  ornamental. 
These  are  in  clusters  larger  than  the  locust, 
though  less  odoriferous ;  pendulous,  and  of  a 
whitish-yellow  color.  It  is  late  in  putting 
forth  in  spring,  and  one  of  the  first  to  shed 
its  leaves,  which  turn  to  a  deep  orange  yellow 
in  the  fall. 

It  thrives  best  in  a  rich  light  loam,  in  a 
cool  situation,  not  exposed  to  the  heat  and 
drought  of  summer. 

It  is  propagated  by  seeds  sown  as  soon  as 
they  are  ripe,  in  boxes  protected  from  mice 
and  severe  frosts.  They  will  appear  in  spring. 


240  AMERICAN  HANDBOOK 

It  also  succeeds  very  well  if  budded  on  the 
sophora  in  July. 

The  finest  Bartram  specimen  is  fifty  feet 
high  and  four  feet  in  circumference  at  the 
base. 

XANTHOXYLON,  Kuntli. — Nat.  Ord.  Xan- 
thoxylaceaB.  Dicecia,  Tri-pentandria,  Linn. 
Calyx  3-5-parted.  Stamens  and  petals  equal 
to  the  divisions  of  the  calyx.  Carpels  1-5, 
with  an  equal  number  of  styles  connected  at 
the  apex ;  2-valved ;  1-2-seeded.  Fruit  mostly 
berried.  Seeds  globose,  dark,  and  shining. 

X.  FKAXINEUM,  Willclenoiv .  Leaves  with 
four  to  five  pairs  of  ovate  leaflets.  Sterns 
prickly,  prickles  stipitate.  Petioles  unarmed. 
— Toothache  tree;  prickly  ash.  Canada  to 
Kentucky. 

A  small  tree  of  about  fifteen  feet  high,  the 
which  whoever  plants  will  wish  he  had  never 
seen,  on  account  of  its  rambling,  brambly 
appearance,  and  determination  to  throw  up 
suckers  in  spite  of  all  opposition. 

It  is  a  fit  companion  for  the  elder  bush 
which  John  Bartram,  in  his  correspondence, 


OF  ORNAMENTAL  TREES.  241 

says  lie  rooted  out  of  Ms  garden  every  year 
for  half  his  life,  but  which  continued  to  come 
up  notwithstanding.  A  specimen  at  Bartram 
is  about  fifteen  feet  high  and  six  inches  in 
circumference. 


21 


INDEX 


ENGLISH    OR   COMMON   NAMES. 


Acacia,  rose.     Robinia  hispida. 

Ailantlius.     Ailantus  glandulosus. 

Althea.     Hibiscus  syriacus. 

Angelica  tree.     Aralia  spinosa. 

Apple,  cherry.     Pyrus  baccata. 

Apple,  double-flowered.     Pyrus  spectabilis. 

Arbor  vitas,  American.     Thuja  occidentalis. 

Arbor  vitas,  Chinese.     Thuja  orientalis. 

Arbor  vitas,  weeping.     Thuja  pendula. 

Ash,  black.     Fraxinus  sambucifolia. 

Ash,  blue.     Fraxinus  quadrangulata. 

Ash,  downy.     Fraxinus  pubescens. 

Ash,  European.     Fraxinus  excelsior. 

AsJi,  mountain.     Pyrus  aucuparia. 

Ash,  poison.     Rhus  venenata. 

Ash,  prickly.     Xanthoxylon  fraxineum. 

Ash,  red.     Fraxinus  pubescens. 


244  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 

Ashy  various-leaved.      Fraxinus    excelsior    lietero- 

phylla. 

Ash,  walnut.     Fraxinus  juglandifolia. 
Ash,  weeping.     Fraxinus  excelsior  pendula. 
Ash}  white.     Fraxinus  americana. 
Beam,,  white.     Pyrus  aria. 
Beech,  American.     Fagus  ferruginea. 
Beech,  Uoody.     Fagus  sylvatica,  sanguinea. 
Beech,  crested.     Fagus  sylvatica,  cristata. 
Beech,  cut.     Fagus  sylvatica,  laciniata. 
Beech,  copper.     Fagus  sylvatica,  cuprea. 
Beech,  European.     Fagus  sylvatica. 
Beech,  water.     Carpi nus  americanus. 
Birch,  American  white.     Betula  populifolia. 
Birch,  black.     Betula  nigra. 
Birch,  poplar-leaved.     Betula  populifolia. 
Birch,  red.     Betula  nigra. 
Birch,  sweet  black.     Betula  lenta. 
Birch,  white.     Betula  alba. 
Bitternut.     Carya  amara. 
Box.     Buxus. 

Box,  Minorca.     Buxus  balearica. 
Buckeye,  yellow.     Pavia  flava. 
Buckthorn.     Rhamnus  catbartica. 
Buckthorn,  alder.     Rhamnus  frangula. 
Buckthorn,  Carolina.     Rhamnus  caroliniensis. 
Buckthorn,  sea.     Hippophae  rbamnoides. 
Bumelia.     Bumelia  lycioides. 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES.  245 

Butternut.     Juglans  cinerea. 

Buttonwood,  American.     Platanus  occidentalis. 

Buttonwood,  English.     Platanus  orientalis. 

Catalpa.     Catalpa  bignonoides. 

Cedar,  African.     Cedrus  africana. 

Cedar,  deodar.     Cedrus  deodara. 

Cedar,  Japan.     Cryptomeria  japonica. 

Cedar,  Lebanon.     Cedrus  libani. 

Cedar,  twisted.     Cupressus  torulosa. 

Cedar,  white.     Cupressus  thuyoides. 

Cherry,  Chickasaw.     Cerasus  chicasa. 

Cherry,  cornelian.     Cornus  mas. 

Cherry,  double-flowered  wood.     Cerasus  sylvestris 

fl.  pleno. 

Cherry,  English  bird.     Cerasus  padus. 
Cherry,  mahaleb.     Cerasus  mahaleb, 
Cherry,  wild.     Cerasus  serotina. 
Chestnut,  chinquapin.     Castanea  pumila. 
Chestnut,  common.     Castanea  vesca. 
Chestnut,  marrone.     Castanea  vesca. 
Christ's  thorn.     Paliurus  aculeatus. 
Club  of  Hercules.     Aralia  spinosa. 
Crab,  plum-leaved.     Pyrus  prunifolia. 
Crab,  sweet-scented.     Pyrus  coronaria. 
Cucumber  tree.     Magnolia  acuminata. 
Cyrilla.     Cyrilla  racemiflora. 
Cypress,  bald.     Taxodium  distichum. 
Cypress,  deciduous.     Taxodium  distichum. 
21* 


24:6  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 


weeping-leaved.      Taxodium     distichum 

pendulum. 

Dogwood,  alternate-leaved.     Cornus  alternifolia. 
Dogwood,  American.     Cornus  florida. 
Dogwood,  English  red.     Cornus  san  guinea. 
Dogivood,  flowery.     Cornus  florida. 
Dogwood^  white-berried.     Cornus  alba. 
Elder,  box.     Negundo  aceroides. 
Elm,  American.     Ulmus  americana. 
Elm,  Cornish.     Ulmus  campestris  var. 
Elm,  English.     Ulinus  campestris. 
Elm,  Exeter.     Ulmus  montana  var. 
Elm,  Huntingdon.     Ulmus  glabra  var. 
Elm,  slippery.     Ulmus  fulva. 
Elm,  smooth.     Ulmus  glabra. 
Elm,  wi/ch.     Ulmus  montana. 
Fir,  balsam.     Picea  balsamea. 
Fir,  Cephalonian  silver.     Picea  cephalonica. 
Fir,  double  balsam.     Picea  Frazeri. 
Fir,  noble.     Picea  nobilis. 
Fir,  silver.     Picea  pectinata. 
Franklinia.     Gordonia  pubescens. 
Fringe  tree.     Chionanthus  virginica. 
Ginko.     Salisburia  adiantifolia. 
Hackberry  .     Celtis  crassifolia. 
Halesia,  two-winged.     Halesia  diptera. 
Hackmatack.     Larix  americana. 
Hawthorn,  cockspur.     Crataegus  crus-galli. 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES.  247 

Hawthorn,  English.     Crataegus  oxyacantha. 
Hawthorn,  maple-leaved.     Crataegus  cordata. 
Hawthorn,  pear-fruited.     Crataegus  flava. 
Hawthorn,  pear-leaved.     Crataegus  pyrifolia. 
Hawthorn,  scarlet-fruited.     Crataegus  coccinea. 
Hawthorn,  Washington.     Crataegus  cordata. 
Hawthorn,  yellow-fruited.     Crataegus  flava. 
flemlock.     Abies  canadensis. 
Hickory,  common.     Carya  tomentosa. 
Hickory,  Illinois.     Carya  olivasformis. 
Hickory,  mockernut.     Carya  tomentosa. 
Hickory,  peccan-nut.     Carya  olivaeformis. 
Hickory,  pignut.     Carya  porcina. 
Hickory,  shellbark.     Carya  alba. 
Holly,  American.     Ilex  opaca. 
Holly,  emetic.     Ilex  vomitoria. 
Holly,  English.     Ilex  aquifolium. 
Honey  locust.     Grleditschia  triacanthos. 
Horn  beam,  American.     Carpinus  americana. 
Horn  beam,  European.     Carpinus  betulus. 
Horn  beam,  hop.     Ostrya  virginica. 
Horse-chestnut,  American.     jEsculus  ohiense. 
Horse-chestnut,  British.     .ZEsculus  hippocastanurn. 
Horse-chestnut,  red.     ^Isculus  rubicunda. 
Iron  wood.     Ostrya  virginica. 
Judas,  American.     Cercis  canadensis. 
Judas,  European.     Cercis  siliquastrum. 
Julibrissin.     Acacia  julibrissin. 


248  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 

June-berry.     Amelanchier  botryapium. 
Juniper,  common.     Juniperus  communis. 
Juniper,  Swedish.     Juniperus  suecica. 
Jumper,  tall.     Juniperus  excelsa. 
Kentucky  coffee.     Gymnocladus  canadensis. 
Kolreuteria.     Kblreuteria  paniculata. 
Laburnum.     Cytisus  laburnum. 
Lagerstroemia.     Lagerstroemia  reginae. 
Larch,  American.     Larix  americana. 
Larch,  European.     Larix  europcea. 
Linden,  American.     Tilia  americana. 
Linden,  European.     Tilia  europcea. 
Linden,  golden.     Tilia  europoea  aurea. 
Linden,  broad-leaved.     Tilia  europoea  platyphylla. 
Linden,  small-leaved.     Tilia  europoea  parvifolia. 
Linden,  Weeping.     Tilia  europoea  pendula. 
Linden,  white.     Tilia  alba. 
Loblolly,  lay.     Gordonia  Lasianthus. 
Locust,  honey.     Gleditschia  triacanthus. 
Locust,  yellow.     Robinia  pseud-acacia. 
Locust,  clammy.     Robinia  viscosa. 
Locust,  yellow  large-leaved.     Robinia  macrophylla. 
Locust,  yellow  twisted.     Robinia  tortuosa. 
Magnolia,  Hue.     Magnolia  acuminata. 
Magnolia,  Chinese.     Magnolia  conspicua. 
Magnolia,  early.     Magnolia  grandiflora  praecox. 
Magnolia,  heart-leaved.     Magnolia  cordata. 
Magnolia,  large-flowered.     Magnolia  grandiflora. 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES.  249 

Magnolia,  long  ear-leaved.     Magnolia  auriculata. 
Magnolia,  long-leaved   swamp.     Magnolia   glauca 

longifolia. 

Magnolia,  large-leaved.     Magnolia  macrophylla. 
Magnolia,  Soulange's.     Magnolia  Soulangeana. 
Magnolia,  swamp.     Magnolia  glauca. 
Magnolia,     Thompson's.       Magnolia     grandiflora 

Thompsoniana. 

Magnolia,  umbrella.     Magnolia  tripetala. 
Magnolia,  Yulan.     Magnolia  conspicua. 
Maiden  hair  tree.     Salisburia  adiantifolia. 
Maple,  ash-leaved.     Negundo  aceroides. 
Maple,  black  sugar.     Acer  nigrum. 
Maple,  English.     Acer  campestre. 
Maple,  moozewood.     Acer  striatum. 
Maple,  mountain.     Acer  montanum. 
Maple,  Norway.     Acer  platanoides. 
Maple,  red.     Acer  rubrum. 
Maple,  silver.     Acer  dasycarpum. 
Maple,  striped  bark.     Acer  striatum. 
Maple,  sugar.     Acer  saccharinum. 
Maple,  swamp.     Acer  rubrum. 
Maple,  sycamore.     Acer  pseudo-platanus. 
Mist  tree.     Rhus  cotinus. 
Mulberry,  black.     Morus  nigra. 
Mulberry,  paper.     Broussonetia  papyrifera. 
Mulberry,  red.     Morus  rubra. 
Mulberry,  white.     Morus  alba. 


250  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 

Nettle  tree.     Celtis  occidentalis. 

Nettle  tree,  thick-leaved.     Celtis  crassifolia. 

Oak,  Barbary.     Quercus  ballota. 

Oa^  Bartram.     Quercus  heterophylla. 

Oak,  black.     Quercus  tinctoria. 

Oaky  blackjack.     Quercus  nigra. 

Oak,  British.     Quercus  robur. 

Oak,  burr.     Quercus  macrocarpa. 

Oak,  chestnut.     Quercus  castanea. 

Oak,  chestnut  white.     Quercus  prinus. 

Oak,  cork  tree.     Quercus  suber. 

Oak,  ly rate-leaved.     Quercus  lyrata. 

Oak,  olive  fruited.     Quercus  olivaeformis. 

Oak,  overcup  white.     Quercus  macrocarpa. 

Oak,  pine.     Quercus  palustris. 

Oak,  post.     Quercus  obtusiloba. 

Oak,  quercitron.     Quercus  tinctoria. 

Oak,  red.     Quercus  rubra. 

Oak,  scarlet.     Quercus  coccinea. 

Oak,  sessile- fruited,  British.     Quercus  sessiliflora. 

Oak,  Spanish.     Quercus  falcata. 

Oak,  swamp  white.     Quercus  bicolor. 

Oak,  Turkey.     Quercus  cerris. 

Oak,  water.     Quercus  aquatica. 

Oak,  water  white.     Quercus  lyrata. 

Oak,  white.     Quercus  alba. 

Oak,  willow.     Quercus  pliellos. 

Oleaster.     Elseagnus  hortensis. 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES.  251 

Osage  orange.     Maclura  aurantiaca. 

Papaw.     Anon  a  triloba. 

Paulownia.     Paulownia  imperialis. 

Pavia,  dwarf.     Pavia  macrostachya. 

Peachy  double-blossom.     Amygdalus  persica,  fl.  pi. 

Persimmon.     Diospyros  virginiana. 

Pine,  Aleppo.     Pinus  halapensis. 

Pine,  Chili.     Araucaria  imbricata. 

Pine,  dwarf.     Pinus  pumilio. 

Pine,  frankincense.     Pinus  taeda. 

Pine,  gigantic.     Pinus  Lambertiana. 

Pine,  heavy -icooded.     Pinus  ponder osa. 

Pine,  Italian  stone.     Pinus  pinea. 

Pine,  Jersey.     Pinus  in  ops. 

Pine,  loblolly.     Pinus  taeda. 

Pine,  lofty  or  Bhotan.     Pinus  excelsa. 

Pine,  pinaster.     Pinus  pinaster. 

Pine,  pitch.     Pinus  rigida. 

Pine,  Scotch.     Pinus  sylvestris. 

Pine,  sea.     Pinus  maritima. 

Pine,  Southern  swamp.     Pinus  palustris. 

Pine,  Siviss  stone.     Pinus  cembra. 

Pine,  white.     Pinus  strobus. 

Pine,  yellow.     Pinus  mitis. 

Plum,  American  red.     Prunus  americana, 

Plum,  seaside.     Prunus  maritima. 

Poplar,  abele.  '  Populus  alba. 

Poplar,  American  aspen.     Populus  tremuloides. 


252  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 

Poplar ,  Athenian.     Populus  grseca. 

Poplar,  balsam.     Populus  balsamifera. 

Poplar,  Canadian.     Populus  canadensis. 

Poplar,  cottonwood.     Populus  angulata. 

Poplar,  gray.     Populus  canescens. 

Poplar,  large  American  aspen.     Populus  grandi- 

dentata. 

Poplar,  Lombardy.     Populus  dilatata. 
Poplar,  Ontario.     Populus  candicans. 
Ptelea.     Ptelea  trifoliata. 
Pyrus,  snow-leaved.     Pyrus  nivalis. 
Rowan.     Pyrus  aucuparia. 
Sassafras.     Lauras  sassafras. 
Service-tree,  wild.     Pyrus  torminalis. 
Shad  flower.     Amelanchier  botryapium. 
Snowdrop  tree.     Halesia  tetraptera. 
Sophora,  Japan.     Sophora  japonica. 
Sophora,  weeping.     Sophora  japonica  pendula. 
Sorbus  or  service  tree.     Pyrus  domestica. 
Sorrel  tree.     Andromeda  arborea. 
Sour  gum.     Myssa  multiflora. 
Spindle  tree,  broad-leaved.     Euonymus  latifolius. 
Spindle  tree,  dark  purple.     E.  atro-purpureus. 
Spindle  tree,  European.     E.  europseus. 
Spruce,  black.     Abies  tfigra. 
Spruce,  Douglass's.     Abies  Douglassii. 
Spruce,  hemlock.     Abies  canadensis. 
Spruce,  morinda.     Abies  Smithiana. 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES.  253 

Spruce,  Norway.     Abies  excelsa. 
Spruce,  Smith's  Himalayan.     Abies  Smithiana. 
Storax,  large-leaved.     Sty  rax  grandifolium. 
Sumach,  poison.     Rhiis  venenata. 
Sumach,  Stag's  horn.     Rhus  typhina. 
Sweet  gum.     Liquidambar  styraciflua. 
Toothache  tree.     Xanthoxylon  fraxineum. 
Tree  of  Heaven.     Ailantus  glandulosa. 
Tulip  tree.     Liriodendron  tulipifera. 
Tupelo.     Nyssa  multiflora. 
Walnut,  Hack.     Juglans  nigra. 
Walnut,  English.     Juglans  regia. 
Walnut,  white.     Juglans  cinerea. 
Willow,  Bedford.     Salix  Russelliana. 
Willow,  black.     Salix  nigra. 
Willow,  crack.     Salix  fragilis. 
Willow,  Crowe's.     Salix  Croweana. 
Willow,  curled.     Salix  babylonica  annularis. 
Willow,  daphne.     Salix  daphnoides. 
Willow,  Forty's.     Salix  Forbyana. 
Willow,  Forsters.     Salix  Forsteriana. 
Willow,  goat.     Salix  caprea. 
Willow,  hairy.     Salix  hirta. 
Willow,  large-leaved.     Salix  acuminata. 
Willow,  osier  or  twiggy.     Salix  viminalis. 
Willow,  Pomeranian.     Salix  pomeranica. 
Willow,  red.     Salix  rubra. 
Willow,  round-leaved.     Salix  rotundata. 
22 


25-i  INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 

Willow,  shining.     Salix  pentandra. 

Willow j  weeping.     Salix  babylonica. 

Willow,  white.     Salix  alba. 

Willow,  white  Welsh.     Salix  decipiens. 

Witch  hazel.     Hamamelis  virginica. 

Yellow  wood.     Virgilia  lutea. 

Yew,  acorn.     Taxus  nucifera. 

Yeiv,  Canadian.     Taxus  canadensis. 

Yew,  English.     Taxus  baccata. 

Yew,  Irish.     Taxus  baccata  fastigiata. 

Yew,  silver  variegated.     Taxus  baccata  elegantis- 

sima. 

Yew,  weeping.     Taxus  baccata  pendula,  or  Taxus 
Dovastoni. 


APPENDIX. 


PLANTS  recently  introduced  into  cultivation,  or  which 
have  not  come  under  the  personal  observation  of  the 
author. 

Abies  alba. 

Abies  dumosa. 

Abies  gigantea. 

Abies  Menziesii.  % 

Abies  obovata. 

Acer  circinatum. 

Acer  obtusatum. 

Acer  opalus. 

JEsculus  hippocastanum,  double-flowered. 

jEsculus  laciniatum. 

Alnus  glutinosa. 

Alnus  laciniata. 

Alnus  serrulata. 

Amelanchier  florida. 

Betula  excelsa. 

Betula  papyracea. 

Castanea  vesca  asplenifolia. 

Castanea  vesca  laciniata. 

Chionanthus  maritima. 

Cornus  paniculata. 

Crataegus  Layi. 


256  APPENDIX. 

Cratsegus  orientalis. 

Cryptomeria  Lobbiana. 

El-aeagnus  fiava. 

Elaeagnus  parviflora. 

Fagus  sylvatica  macropliylla. 

Fraxinus  excelsior  argentea. 

Juglans  regia  laciniata. 

Juniperus  phoenicia. 

Larix  Griffithii. 

Larix  Tyrolosa. 

Ornus  Europseus. 

Ornus  latifolius. 

Picea  Pindrow. 

Picea  pinsapo. 

Picea  Webbiana. 

Pinus  Austriaca. 

Pinus  Coulterii. 

Pinus  Gerardiana. 

Pinus  Hartwegii. 

Pinus  insignis. 

Pinus  Laricio. 

Pinus  Massoni. 

Pinus  monticola. 

Planera  Richardii. 

Platanus  acerifolia. 

Platanus  palmata. 

Platanus  pyramidalis. 

Populus  acerifolia. 

Populus  cordifolia. 

Populus  lieterophylla. 

Populus  lieterophylla  pendula. 

Pterocarya  caucasica. 


APPENDIX.  257 


Pyrus  lanuginosa. 
Pyrus  orientalis. 
Pyrus  rivularis. 
Pyrus  salicifolia. 
Pyrus  variolosa. 
Pyrus  vestita. 
Salix  Candida. 
Salix  fusca  (grafted). 
Torreya  taxifolia. 


THE   END. 


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